By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Canon Jonathan Bello has called on Christian faithful to look up to God as the author and finisher of their faith as the country passes through challenging times.

Bello, who is the Vicar, St. Peter the Rock Anglican Church Navy Estate Karishi, Abuja urged Nigerians to keep hope alive in Christ.

He noted that God has great plans for Nigeria which would manifest in due course.

The servant of God hinted that hope makes a believer not to be ashamed because hope is the expectation of what is good, and expectation is the mother of manifestation.

He said as children of God, *we are to be bold and not to be afraid or denounce our faith when faced with challenges.

He encouraged Christians not to stop going to Church for fear of insecurity.

Nothing should stop us from serving God,
When we meet, praise and pray together
most evil plans are aborted.

He highlighted ways through which a Christian could reactivate his hope to include the scripture, belief in God and new mentality.

Bello said the church had advised its members of the need to ensure they observed their civic responsibility.

We have told and ensured our members get their PVC and participate in the forthcoming general elections,

We have let them know that if only they vote for the right candidates,that is when we will have better leaders and leadership; we need visionary and God fearing leaders.

He called on government to sit up and take decisions on fishing out the bad eggs in the society causing general unrest in the society.

The vicar said the church had engaged the youths in seminars, exposing the dangers of election violence and other social vices.

The canon said: the Church represents peace and light; the Church is not for violence or negative acts, as the Church teaches winning of souls and unity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yusuff

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has debunked the allegation by some Nigerian lawmakers on recruitment irregularities at the institution.

Sen. Edwin Snowe, Leader of the Liberian Delegation at the Parliament, refuted the allegation, while speaking with the Parliamentary correspondents on Sunday in Abuja.

Snowe was reacting to the outrage that erupted over the alleged recruitment irregularities process on ECOWAS.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerians Lawmakers had threatened to pull out of the Parliament alleging that Nigerians were being shortchanged in its recruitment exercise.

The Nigerian delegation also threatened to withdraw the countrys membership of the regional bloc if it refused to suspend the ongoing recruitment exercise as recentlry directed in the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

Snowe, however, refuted the allegation describing it as a misrepresentation of the real issues by the Nigerian delegation, stressing that the recruitment process at the Parliament was competitive.

He also said that the Nigeria delegation that raised the alleged scandal were filibustering to impress Nigerians so as to canvass for votes ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Recruitment into the ECOWAS institutions is very competitive and cannot shortchange any country let alone Nigeria that has made invaluable contributions to the development of the community.

There was no resolution reached at the plenary to suspend recruitment into the P5 positions as is being insinuated by Nigerian legislators. Nigerians are adequately represented in ECOWAS Parliament and other institutions of the community, Snowe said.

Regarding the recruitment, Snowe insisted that the report of a resolution to suspend the recruitment process was not true.

He explained that a motion was entertained by the First Deputy Speaker who was the presiding officer on the issues raised by Nigerian MPs on Nigerians being shortchanged.

Snowe said the issue of recruitment was being handled by a Nigerian firm contracted by the Community to take applications and shortlist successful citizens of the sub-region for interview and wondered why Nigerian lawmakers are crying foul.

He added that the matter was referred to the Bureau for further action, adding that it does not constitutes a resolution to suspend the process as the whole community activities could not be stopped because some lawmakers from a member country raised issues.

There was no vote taken on this matter, two Nigerian lawmakers raised the issue about the recruitment process.

There was this staff skill audit that was done at ECOWAS and the results came out not too favorable to some of the staff occupying certain positions. So, the lawmakers linked the staff skill audit debate to the recruitment process.

But the Deputy Speaker asked the Bureau to take seize of the matter and investigate it and get back to the Parliaments Plenary at the earliest possible time.

There was no vote taken because resolution at Parliament is based on vote, Snowe further explained.

Snowe said that apart from the P1 to P3 positions which were junior cadre, there wasno record of recruitment into the P5 positions, which was the bone of contention, as no decision had been reached on it.

He further explained that the recruitment for the P5 position was within the jurisdiction of the Management Succession Committee( MSC) of the ECOWAS Commission which was chaired by the President of the Commission.

He pointed out that the regional bloc recognised the immense contributions of Nigeria and had taken steps to give Nigeria adequate representation in ECOWAS institutions.

At the Parliament as I speak to you, there are 73 staff members and 35 of them are Nigerians.

We breached the Rule of Procedure, we breached the Supplementary Act and gave Nigeria a deserving platform at the Parliament.

This consideration made is not out of weakness, it is out of our own appreciation for the roleNigeria has playedin our sub-region.

For Example at the Authority of Heads of State and Government the chairmanship is rotational. At the Parliament, the Speakership is rotational on alphabetical order.

But on our own, outside the Protocol the Supplementary Act of the Parliament, outside our standing rule, we have agreed that when Nigeria is not chairing as Speaker, Nigeria should always serve as First Deputy Speaker even when there is no rule that supports that.

Each country has a committee chair at the Parliament currently with the exception of Guinea Bissau.

We also said that because of Nigerias magnanimity we have given Nigeria two committee chairmen positions because of our respect for what tax payers money has done for the region.

Nigeria permanently chairs the Finance Committee and and another committee in addition to the First Deputy Speaker when Nigeria is not serving as Speaker, Snowe noted.

He cautioned the Nigerian lawmakers not to cast unnecessary aspersions on the Parliament and its Speaker Sidie Tunis by misrepresenting of facts.

ECOWAS was founded on solidarity, there is nothing that makes might right in the community. The Nigerian delegation questioning the recruitment process is misrepresenting the decisions that emanate from the plenary.

I understand that our brothers are going for election and sometimes they filibustering because they want the vote and support of their constituencies to feel that they represent Nigerias interest at the Parliament.

But we will not allow the Parliament to be used as a stepping stone for the reelection of politicians, Snowe added.

Nigerian representatives at the parliament issued the threat when some principal officers in the regional bloc allegedly defied the directives and embarked on the illegal process of recruiting their relatives and cronies.

The lawmakers cite the huge financial commitments which Nigeria makes to the body amid its internal security challenges.

They alleged that there was no commensurate return on investment for Nigeria in ECOWAS for all the country has done and is doing for the region from its inception in 1975. (NAN)()

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged full support for three major international events scheduled to hold in Nigeria in October and November.

According to him, these events are opportunities to showcase the nations rich heritage in culture, arts, tourism and entertainment as well as advancements in media freedom.

Nigeria will be hosting the 2022 UNESCO Global Media, Information Literacy (MIL) Week in Abuja in October.

The country will host the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos also in October.

In November, it will host the 2nd Global Association of Literary Festivals Conference in Abeokuta.

President Buharis spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the president welcomed decisions by organisers of the three separate historic events for Nigeria to host the fiestas.

The organisers are UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organisation and the Global Association of Literary Festivals.

The president assured all stakeholders and participants of the warmth and hospitality of the people of Nigeria.

On MIL Week, Buhari noted that it is instructive that Nigeria is attracting positive international attention as a country that promotes media freedom and freedom of expression.

According to him, the country recognises the important roles information, literacy and media education play in sustainable development.

On the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism, the president noted the rapid growth of Nigerias film, fashion, music, and ICT sectors.

He assured that the increase in international appeal and acceptance of Nigerias products would continue to spur government to devote more resources to the sectors.

Herecalled the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), established by his administration to provide single-digit interest rate financing for young Nigerians in fashion, film-making, music and information Technology.

CIFI is managed by the CBN in collaboration with the Bankers Committee.

According to the president, the 100 million dollars re-development of the National Theatre, Lagos, into a world-class Creative Park is also on-going.

The National Theatre complex has been handed over to the CBN and the Bankers Committee.

President Buhari said he trusted that the literary world would find many good things to celebrate about Nigeria when members meet in the historic city of Abeokuta.

Abeokuta is the homeland and birthplace of one of Nigerias finest literary icons and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The president expressed delight to welcome international visitors to Nigeria and urged compatriots to use the period to exhibit the values that make us a unique, friendly and peace-loving people. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Bello

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has reiterated his commitment to complementing the efforts of Federal and State Governments in providing higher quality education in Kebbi.

Malami made this known during a prize- giving day of Rayhaan Model Academy Birnin Kebbi, on Saturday.

He described the establishment of Rayhaan Model Academy as part of his contribution to complement the efforts of the governments in stabilising education in the state.

This informs the decision to have a trailblazer model academy, Rayhaan Model Academy Birnin Kebbi.

He said the school was established out of the aspiration to complement governments effort in the promotion of quality education for the country.

Malami expressed optimism that the academy would produce high Calibre of intellectuals in universities who would join the wider competitive global society.

I hope in the nearest future, the students from the academy will contribute immensely in the fields of engineering, medicine, industries, administration and entrepreneurship, among others, he said.

Malami commended the parents and guardians for entrusting the care of their wards in the academy and promised to ensure that their dream had come to fruition.

The minister also appreciated both teaching and non-teaching staff for their contributions to the development of the academy.

Earlier, Dr Nasir Idris, the APC governorship candidate, lauded the tremendous contribution of Malami to educational development and service to humanity in the state.

He said that the name of the minister would be written in gold as a politician per excellence and unique philanthropist.

Idris said his political journey would not be complete without the minister.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of the Academy, Malam Isiyaku Abdullahi, disclosed that the academy had graduated 102 students in the event out of 405 students currently in the school.

The school has become one of the best in the state within such a short period of operation and the choice of many children and parents in the state, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaji Bashar Illo, the Chief Launcher at the event, donated N5 million; Alhaji Garba Illo and his relatives donated N5 million and Dr Nasiru Idris gave N10 million.

Others are Khadimiyya For Justice and Development Initiative which donated a mobile science laboratory with N1 million. (NAN).

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Busayo Onijala

Indonesia is set to host a three-day International Muslim Lifestyle trade fair focused on Islamic products and services from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28.

The Indonesia International Muslim Lifestyle Trade Expo, holding at Indonesia Convention Exhibition, Tangerang, aims to connect the world with the Indonesian Islamic Community.

Ms. Wini Adam, Spokesperson for Lima Events, organisers of the show, said in a statement that the expo is a business matching and business-to-business exhibition.

She said it would attract tens of thousands offline visitors and millions of online viewers from various countries.

She said the expo would cover eight main sectors, namely; Halal Food and Beverages; Halal Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Herbal; Halal Travel and Destinations.

Others are: Islamic Finance and Banking; Halal Media and Recreation; Modest Fashion; Islamic Education, Books and Publishing; Sharia Property and Infrastructure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Indonesia has a large muslim population of 229 million (about 87.2 per cent of the total population of 255 million), the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world.

Estimates by the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2022 indicate that the worlds 1.9 billion muslims spent the equivalent of 2 trillion U.S dollars in 202.

The amount was spent across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, fashion, travel, and media/recreation sectors impacted by Islamic faith-inspired ethical consumption needs.

According to Adam, the three-day expo will feature workshops, products presentations, business meetings as well as site visits to plantations, centres of Islamic economic development and halal industry sectors in Indonesia.

She added that, More than 100 local and international exhibitors and over 50,000 trade visitors and consumers are expected to participate in the exhibition covering an indoor area of over 4,800 square metres.

She said that the fair was Indonesias biggest business-to-business exhibition of Islamic

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), says it has embarked on visitations to ascertain the implementation and progress of AGILE projects in beneficiary states.

Mrs Amina Haruna, National Project Coordinating Unit, AGILE, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

She said this was part of preparations for the take-off of the project.

The AGILE Project is a five-year initiative of the Federal Government with support from the World Bank.

It aims to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent

girls in the implementing states as well as empower them to earn living.

The implementing states are: Borno, Ekiti, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and

Plateau.

While embarking on the visitation in Ekiti, Haruna said the team wanted to find ways it could be of assistance to ensure effective project implementation for optimal results.

She said there was the need for synergy among team members, and with the

state government so as to achieve the goals of the AGILE Project in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Project Coordinator, Mrs Oluwayemisi Alokan, said the project would lead to the utilisation of the School Improvement Grants (SIG), for the renovation of existing infrastructure in schools in the state.

Alokan said their were challenges faced in implementing the project but subsequent efforts were made to address them.

The visiting team also met with the State Commissioner for Education,

and Permanent Secretary, Science and Technology, Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Dr Kofoworola Aderiye, and Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, respectively.

They expressed delight at the visit and pledged their commitment to the success of the AGILE Project in the state.

In Katsina State, the State Project Coordinator, Mr Mustapha Shehu, also took the NPCU team around the projects sites.

They ascertained the ongoing construction and renovation in accordance with the World Banks prescribed construction and

renovation standards.

The team commended States Project Implementing Unit (SPIU) on the standard of work and advised it to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture, alongside community youths on the planting of trees in the targeted schools to mitigate the challenges of climate change.

The team also held a meeting with Katsina States Commissioner for Education, Associate Prof. Badamasi Charanchi.

The commissioner expressed delight at the visit, expressing governments

commitment to the improvement of girl-child education in the state.

Part of the facilities inspected in Ekiti and Katsina States include: school

buildings being constructed or renovated, laboratories, libraries, hotels and their

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.

The AGILE project has World Bank support to the tune of 500 million U.S dollars with prospects of improved funding. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Felicia Imohimi

The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) has called on the Nigerian government to develop pesticide policy and legislation to ensure toxic pesticides are prohibited and reduced in usage.

AAPN made the call in a communiqu issued on Wednesday at the end of a one-day documentary screening and panel discussion on pesticide double standards and improving pesticide regulation in the country.

The communiqu was signed by Donald Ofeogbu, Coordinator of AAPN, Programme Manager HBS and Chris Kaka, Coordinator AAPN Programme Manager Trade Network Initiative (TNI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the goal of the meeting is to end the double standards that exist in the global trade in pesticides active ingredients and products.

Pesticide products and active ingredients not approved in the European Union (EU) due to health or environmental concerns but exported out of EU by agrochemical corporations are sold in other regions, including Nigeria.

It was to also encourage sustainable agricultural practices and to stop supporting conventional monoculture that furthers the dependence on hazardous pesticides and to fill gaps in regulations and management of pesticides.

In the communiqu, AAPN observed that there was no pesticide policy or legislation in Nigeria that effectively regulate the use and entry of pesticides, especially those banned elsewhere and Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).

It said there were also large and confusing overlaps in pesticide supervision in the country between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ministry of Environment, NESREA, NAFDAC among others with related mandates.

These agencies all seem to be struggling for dominance instead of working in synergy.

The companies producing pesticides claim that their products are safe if they are used correctly, and marketing approval is based on the supposition of safe use.

This statement however is very far from the reality in Nigeria and other countries of the Global South.

In many cases, the necessary protective equipment is unavailable, too expensive, or impractical due to the climatic conditions. Many farmers in Nigeria are not aware of the effects, it added.

The communiqu recommended that House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture should continually open up the space for public participation and engagement in the development of pesticide legislation.

The committee should ensure that any legislation on pesticides is first in the interest of safeguarding the health of Nigerians and our environment, rather than maximising the profits of agro companies.

The National Assembly and the Presidency should approve budgetary provisions to fund the meetings of the National Chemical Management Committee to improve inter-ministerial collaborations to end the poor management of HHPs and other highly toxic chemicals across the sectors.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should work closely with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) towards opening the draft and review process of the Integrated Pest Management Policy Plan (formally headed by NASQ), it recommended.

It further recommended that government should ensure that CSOs, smallholder famers, consumer groups, academia and organic practitioners are part of the process of developing the policy.

It also recommended that farmers associations and farmers clusters should work towards self-regulation on the pesticide usage among their members and increase the awareness on highly hazardous pesticide brand among their members.

According to the communiqu, farmers should have a list of pesticides that are unlikely to cause any acute hazard.

They should encourage and demand for organic pesticides, bio-pesticides, while also supporting their members to learn more sustainable, healthy farm systems like multi-cropping systems, organic farming, agro-ecology, use of land preparation strategies and mechanical for weed control.

Farmers at all levels should mobilise and seize the opportunity of forthcoming national election to engage with political candidates on the spread of toxic pesticides, and secure political commitments to promote nature friendly bio-pesticides.

They should as well seek for improvement of pesticide regulation in Nigeria and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Politicians, farmers and electorates should refrain from the offer and acceptance of highly hazardous pesticides.

NAN reports that AAPN is a coalition of over 40 civil society organisations, academia, independent scientists and media professionals, who are committed to phasing out all Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), obsolete and adulterated pesticides from Nigeria and West Africa.

The event was attended by over 95 physical participants and 45 online participants, including representatives FMARD, Ministries ofHealth, Industry, Trade and Investment, Environment, Budget and National Planning, Office of the Secretary General of the Federation and the media.

Others included: NESREA, NAFDAC, FCCPC, Nigeria Customs Services, SON, NAQS, NASS members in agricultural production and services, International and local NGOs, CSOs, Pesticide Action Network Europe, HBS Brussels Office, Third Circle Kenya, Action Aid Nigeria and farmers associations and others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it will adopt new approach in the administration of licences and leases, especially as it concerns acreage allocation, to attain the objectives set by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, said in a statement on Friday that the new approach would optimise value in the new acreage management and administration of allocation principles enunciated in the PIA.

To position the Commission on a performance centred paradigm for acreage management, a new strategy of acreage allocation, management and administration based on a holistic assessment of the prior performance of all licences and leases awarded prior to the PIA is required, he said.

According to Komolafe, the commission will seek to identify the areas of regulatory under performance in acreage management and administration, leading to failure of licensees and lessees inability to carry out licence and lease performance obligations.

The commission would also seek to identify other issues, including acquisition of data, drilling of wells and maturing of identified leads and prospects within the licence or lease span.

The CEO in a memo to senior management staff of the commission, also listed the aspects of the new strategy to include review assignee performance and contributions to licences and lessees and review compliance performance in reporting milestones by licensees and lessees and the administration of regulatory consequence mechanisms.

Other aspect of the new strategy would include to review loss allocation by licensees and lessees under the PIA.

These include production, cost and revenue, as well as performance review of existing multi-client arrangements and streamlining ongoing activities to the PIA.

The assessment framework will require all existing licences and lessees to undergo a performance assessment audit of operation of licences and leases based on a framework to be developed by Lease and focussed on OPLs, OMLs, Marginal Fields and Multi client arrangements.

Evaluation is expected to cover the following: Compliance with environmental requirements and with work programme commitments, compliance with revenue payment obligations and reporting obligations.

Others are audit of operation systems and third-party provider activities and assessment of assignee roles and performance obligations.

In the new dispensation, there will be need for a team with representation from relevant departments to achieve performance schematic of existing licences and leases; identify oversight weakness, identify licencee and lessee centred failures in regulatory reporting requirements and other performance indices.

Also in the new dispensation, there will be improved oversight mechanism in line with the objective of the PIA and aspects of new strategy as well as develop fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for acreage management and lease administration in line with the PIA.

The team, which will be made up of a member each from Exploration and Acreage Management: Development

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Milk Booster, a company that produces lactation products that help increase breast milk supply, on Friday introduced the first MilkBank in Nigeria in commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week was: Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

It seeks to involve Governments, communities, and individuals in raising awareness about sustainable breastfeeding environment.

Dr Chinny Obinwanne -Ezewike, Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Milk Booster, said that the milkbank initiative was geared towards providing pasteurised donor breast milk for pre-term, low birth weight, and other vulnerable infants in order for them to enjoy the enormous benefits of breastmilk.

Obinwanne -Ezewike, is also a Lactation Consultant and member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

She said the idea to launch the Milkbank arose having been helping over 50,000 babies get more breast milk from their mothers through Milk Booster products since five years ago.

She explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recommended that when a baby cannot get breastmilk from their mother, the next best option is donor milk before considering infant formula.

Obinwanne -Ezewike said that WHO have advised mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months with extended breastfeeding for two years and beyond.

The lactation consultant stated that breastmilk is very important for babies but not all mothers can produce enough milk or produce at all, such as the surrogate mother, working-class mothers, hence; the need for the MilkBank to bridge the gap.

She expressed disappointment that Nigeria ranked third highest in the number of pre-term birth across the world and first in infant mortality rate in Africa.

According to her, when pre-term babies gets breastmilk, their stay in the hospital is reduced and risk of contacting the most common sicknesses that eats up their guts system is significantly reduced.

Obinwanne-Ezewike noted that the absence of donor breastmilk in Nigeria had created a misconception that the infant milk and breastmilk are equivalent.

A human baby should get a human breast milk and mothers must not consider giving their babies processed cow milk.

Cow milk is for calf and not human babies. The benefits of breastmilk goes as far as increasing chances for survival and protecting the babies from several sicknesses within our community.

Five per cent of babies within the ages of zero to five years die yearly in Nigeria because of sub-optimal breastfeeding.

Feeding our babies with breastmilk will ensure that they are not part of the infant death statistics due to our sub-optimal breastfeeding, she said.

According to her, Nigeria has the capacity to sustain her babies born either pre-term or full-term by ensuring they are breast fed to give them a chance to live healthy.

Obinwanne -Ezewike urged governments and organisations to support the MilkBank project to enable mothers in the rural areas to also enjoy the facility.

She said: We already have over 165,000 Milk Booster Community mum who are always ready to donate breastmilk free of charge and educating more to also do same.

Mothers that donate excess milk must be aware that there are babies whose mothers cant produce same and needs their excess milk.

They produce the milk ,we process it and pass it onto the babies who need it for survival to reduce Nigerias infant and neonatal mortality rate.

We only charge the receivers about N20,000 used to process and screen the breastmilk to ensure that it is safe for consumption, she said.

According to her, the primary recipients of the breastmilk as prioritised by the company would be low birthweight babies, sick premature babies in the Intensive Care Units, premature babies doing well before the sick full term babies and other demands.

Obinwanne -Ezewike said tht the MilkBank would service the general hospitals, government hospitals, private hospitals and surrogate agencies.

She stated that the firm had invested over 15,000 dollars into the community-based milk bank facility.

In her remark, Dr Mobolaji Olajide, Lecturer 1, Department of Nursing, University of Lagos, emphasised the need for Nigeria mothers to be educated and embrace the MilkBank which is already a global practice.

Olajide said its high time we give babies whose mothers cannot produce breastmilk or produces in low quantity, an opportunity to enough access to breastmilk officially.

She called for aggressive sensitisation on the need to dissuade superstitious cultural and religious belief that accompanies exchange of breast milk.

Why would some Nigerians mothers prefers not to accept to give their babies breastmilk from their fellow human being but prefers that of a cow?

All the myth surrounding cross-breastfeeding is just a superstition, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Vivin Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the entertainment industry, particularly artistes and musicians, in commiserating with ace instrumentalist, singer and song writer, Bongos Ikwue, who lost his wife, Josephine Ifeyinwa, 73.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Friday in Abuja, Buhari condoled with family members, friends, Catholic Women Organisation, International Association of Lions Clubs and associates of the matriarch of Bongos-Ikwues family.

The deceased hailed from the Ijeh Royal family in Issele Uku Town in Delta, but by providence shared most of her life with the Benue-born musician.

The president noted the deceaseds dedication to the service of humanity, and dedication to Church.

He also lauded her for supporting the poor and needy across the country, especially prisoners, whom she regularly visited to pray with, counsel and guide on the fear of God, and provided support for the people awaiting trial, and their families.

Buhari affirmed that her contributions to stability of her family, sense of duty in community development, and love for God will always be remembered.

The president prayed that the Almighty God would comfort the renowned musician and his family, and grant the wife and mother a peaceful rest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivin Ihechu

Source: NAN News