By Ijeoma Okigbo

Team Nigeria on Sunday booked a semi-final slot in the mens Table Tennis Team event at the on-going Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the United Kingdom.

After a sluggish start at NEC Hall 3 on Sunday, an inspired Nigerian side, led by Quadri Aruna, bounced back to defeat Malaysia 3-2, booking a semi-final spot against India on Monday.

In the Doubles event, the duo of Javen Choong and Qi Shen beat Nigerias Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo 3-1 (6-11, 12-10, 12-10,11-7).

The singles event saw Malaysias Chee Feng Leong lose1-3 to Quadri Aruna (9 -11, 11-6, 5 -11 and 5-11) while Abiodun lost 0-3 to Qi Shen Wong. (10-12, 12 -14, 5-11)

In the third singles game, Leong lost 1-3 (8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 6-11) to Omotayo while the last game also saw Jave Choong succumb to Aruna 1-3 (11-7, 8-11, 5-11, 9-11).

Meanwhile, Edidiong Umoafia clinched a bronze medal for Nigeria in the mens 67kg Weightlifting event earlier in the day.

Umoafia lifted a combined 290kg in Snatch as well as Clean and Jerk categories to get on the podium.

In the boxing event, Nigerias Adeyinka Benson defeated his Ghanaian opponent Abubakari Kwesi Quartey 3-2 in Round 16 of the mens over 71kg-75kg Middleweight category.

Benson has progressed to the quarterfinals. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

Venerable Ben Idume, Vicar, St James Anglican Church Asokoro, has called on the government at all levels to imbibe discipline as a measure to solve insecurity in the country.

The clergy spoke to newsmen after the church celebrated its 2022 First Fruit and unveiling harvest themed Harvest of Joyful Return on Sunday

He said by the theme of the event, the nation and in spite of the challenges the nation faced, it would have a harvest of joyful return.

He also called for a collective responsibility by the society and Church in assisting the government to tackle the menace of insecurity in Nigeria.

According to him, there are real problems in terms of national security and those who are securing us are also unsecured.

Things are not just alright, those who are supposed to be in charge of security, namely the police, military and paramilitary organisations, have mortgaged their integrity.

Rather than face the real work of security, they have neglected the need for collective security of the nation and the citizens.

He urged government to reposition its duties in terns of security matters.

The clergy said for security agencies to be effective, there was a need for them to properly appreciate the enormity of collective insecurity as a nation and be true to it.

Gideon Arinze, the Peoples Warden of the Church, advised citizens to be security-conscious.

He also encouraged government to ensure constant training of security personnel and equipping them adequately to meet current security issues and demands.

He said for the general elections, the Church had enlightened its members on the dangers of being an eligible voter and not voting.

Arinze said the Church had INEC officials in the premises to enable members get their PVCs done.

He appealed for an extension of the registration for PVCs by INEC as many people were yet to partake in the exercise.

On her part, Mrs Precious Ikebujo, Verger of the Anglican Church Asokoro, said the Church had every reason to thank God.

We have excelled, we have conquered a lot and we are marching on, she said.

On child upbringing for a better society, she said women in the Church held several workshops to ensure children were cultured, cautioned and could always trace back their roots.

it is from the family and home we get good and well behaved children for a good society and a nation develops having good leaders.

Love, unity and peace start from the home; we want to have the best treated youths move a round in the society, she added. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

The Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, the Archbishop, Metropolitan Anglican communion, has admonished Christians to be good ambassadors of the church and country for positive change.

He gave the advice at the service of confirmation and admission of candidates into the Womens Guild and Mothers Union on Sunday at the All Saints Church Wuse, Abuja.

Rev Ndukuba, also the Primate of All Nigeria, maintained that social vices had persisted because people no longer listened to each other.

The bishop said such sacraments act as a watch, reminder and guide for individuals not to lose guards in activities of the Church and society.
The Primate expressed worry on the high level of disconnect, rivalry, disunity, injustice and insecurity bedeviling the nation today.
He noted that the vices symbolised the unjust treatment of people all over the country and the world.
He explained that the sacrament of confirmation placed a responsibility on the shoulders of recipients to be Soldiers of Christ in a world of today where the faith was constantly threatened.
Confirmation thus and admission in various groups and positions in the Church recall that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
The spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in Gods presence. Guard what you have received, he urged.

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Ndukuba preached on the topic the life-giving spirit.
The primate said it was written and known that when ever and where ever the holy spirit visited, there was a turnaround for good.
He said for the current occasion, the holy spirit would visit and there would be a turn around in Nigeria and the families .
He urged Nigerians to stand strong in this perilous times, to be watchful and careful not to be caught short by some careless attitudes.
He enjoined Christians to know that no matter the situation, they carried life and not death and would live to enjoy the fullness and goodness of the Lord.
He said this should be done in serving the Church and rendering their services for national development in decent ways.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Primate administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 110 youths.
Twenty eight females were admitted into the Girls Guild while 21 for Womens Guild and 3 into the Mothers Union.
They are expected to serve the Church in truth and in faith, strengthened with the holy spirits, empowered them for service all the days of their lives.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Lilian U. Okoro

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Calvary Area Headquarters, Province 89, Oshodi, Lagos has organised a medical outreach for residents of the community as part of activities to mark its 25th anniversary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical outreach was organised in collaboration with Chike Okoli Foundation, Emzor Pharmaceuticals and Pharmatex Industries on Saturday in Lagos.

The medical outreach included free consultation, checking of blood pressure, blood sugar screening, eye tests and general check up, among others.

Mr Jeffrey Aganbi, Pastor-In-Charge of the Area, said that no fewer than 600 adults and children benefited from the medical outreach.

Aganbi added that free drugs were dispensed to the beneficiaries based on their health conditions, saying that scores of children were dewormed as they went home with gifts items.

According to him, the outreach, which has been on for over 10 years ago, is aimed at improving the well-being of people in the area.

The pastor said the water project was solely executed by the church to provide a source of water supply to residents of the community and its environs noting that access to water had been a great challenge within the community.

He urged the state government to intensify efforts toward making healthcare services available, affordable and accessible to people in the low income communities.

The major objective for the outreach is to bring healthcare services closer to the community at no cost at all, because access to medical care is a big challenge in Nigeria.

A lot of people with one underlying ailment or the other are dying in silence because they cant afford the exorbitant hospital bills.

The water project is one of the churchs humanitarian gestures to mark its 25 years silver jubilee anniversary.

As access to water has been a big problem to residents of the community, the church deemed it necessary to provide them with the borehole.

And considering the economic condition of the country, if the government can make healthcare services available, affordable and accessible to masses, it will relieve a whole lots of burden on the masses, Aganbi said.

The Medical Director, MacTayo Hospital, Dr Chijindu David, urged the residents to take their health seriously and always go for medical check-up, particularly to check the Blood Pressure (BP) level.

David, also a consulting doctor at the event, identified ignorance as the major contributing factor to health conditions of most Nigerian adults, as many people with high blood pressure were not even aware that they had the condition.

According to him, high blood pressure is the leading cause of death among adults.

David said that regular check up can help to avert some critical conditions of blood pressure that may lead to death.

He recommended that every family should have the blood pressure testing apparatus, to enable the elders in the family keep a regular check of their BP.

Every family is supposed to have the BP testing apparatus to enable them maintain a regular check of their BP status.

This is because high blood pressure as a silent killer is the leading cause of death now.

And almost 90 per cent of the patients consulted here today are hypertensive, which a majority of them are not even aware that they have the condition because they dont check, David said.

Ms Obiageli Adimachukwu, the Programme Coordinator, Chike Okoli Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, identified stress as a major factor causing the cardiovascular/heart conditions of most Nigerians.

According to her, the economic condition and hardships in the country are taking a toll on the residents, saying that the people are stressed out.

She advised that people should constantly check their sugar level, cholesterol level, eat healthy diet, have rest and exercise to avert conditions that might trigger high BP.

A representative of Emzor, Esther Ayo, said that the outreach was one the ways the company makes healthcare services accessible to people in the community, who might not afford hospital bills.

Ayo expressed the commitment of the company to continually collaborate with the RCCG to ensure that members of the church and residents of the area have access to healthcare services at no cost.

An elder in the church, Mr Godwin Ohadugha, lauded the church for the outreach, saying it was one of the numerous humanitarian gestures of the church to the community.

Ohadugha said that the church had organised a series of empowerment programmmes and seminars for the youths of the community and members of the church.

Apart from the outreach, the church is so concerned about the welfare of the members; the church takes care of our children.

Sometimes, the church sponsors of the children to learn some skills such as barbing, tailoring, hair dressing and other apprenticeship programmes.

Before now, access to water was a big challenge, but by tomorrow a borehole water will be inaugurated for use by the residents, and the project is courtesy of the church, he said.

A beneficiary of the outreach, Mr Bertram Oparaocha, appreciated the church for organising the outreach that provided an opportunity for many indigent citizens to access healthcare.

Oparaocha said that free drugs were given to him, having received many other free medical services at no cost.

He was optimistic that the gesture would attract more members and recognition for the church going forward.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Onyinyechi Chijindu, described the outreach as an eye opener that lead to the revealing of her health condition.

Onyinyechi, said she never knew that she was hypertensive until she consulted with the doctor at the outreach. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Christian Ogbonna

The Ebonyi State Electoral Commission has declared the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.

The Commission said the ruling party won the polls in all the 13 local government areas of the state.

The Chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), Mr Jossy Eze, made the announcement in Abakaliki on Sunday at the commissions Headquarters.

According to Eze, APC won all the 13 local government chairmanship seats and the 171 councillorship seats.

He commended the electorate for ensuring that the polls were free and peaceful.

By the power vested in me by the law, I hereby declare the results of the Chairmanship of each of the 13 local government as follows.

One, Abakaliki Local Government, Mr Ebere Nwogba of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the majority of valid votes cast at the election, is hereby returned as duly elected.

Other elected APC Chairmen included Chinedu Uburu, Ebonyi LGA; Chidiebere Uzor, Onicha LGA; Chinonso Ajah, Ohaozara LGA; Ibiam Nnajiofor, Afikpo North and Ekuma-Nkama Chima, Afikpo South.

This Commission has received, considered, validated and adopted the results of each of the 171 councillorship of the wards. That is to say that APC have won in all the wards, he added.

A Resident, Mrs Mary Akpoke, who spoke with NAN after the result was announced, decried the development of conducting an election with only one political party.

Myself, I went out to vote but I do not know the other contesting political parties aside the APC. This is why the election recorded high level of apathy, Akpoke said.

Mr Emma Nweke, a teacher also expressed concern over conduct of the elections in favour of only the ruling party, APC.

NAN recalls that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other political parties in the state boycotted the LG polls.

Mr Ricky Okorouka, state Chairman of the Party, had said that their decision not to participate in the elections was due to the refusal of the electoral body to reduce the N1 million and N200,000 nomination fees imposed for Chairmanship and Councillorship.

Mr Chika Nwoba, Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, described the elections as one man-show.

According to Nwoba, PDP is not part of the elections held on Saturday.

Mr Uburu Chinedu, Chairman-elect, Ebonyi Local Government Area, commended the electoral commission and pledged he would focus more on human capital development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

A leading Nigerian out-of-home advertising service provider, Nimbus Media Ltd., has announced a N20 million Marketing Support Programme for 10 start-ups and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to mark 10th anniversary.

Mr Olawale Adegoke, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the company, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Adegoke said that the gesture which marks a return of its aid project was the companys way of giving back to society.

We have stayed true to our vision of supporting African businesses to achieve maximum reach and impact over the past decade, he said.

Adegoke said that the company had expanded its reach across the country and developed meaningful partnerships with clients, partners, and the advertising industry to ensure excellent service delivery.

According to him, Nimbus plans to contribute significantly to growth of businesses over the next few years by delivering solutions that enable its clients to reach these consumers.

Africa, with a population of 1.7 billion people, is one of the worlds fastest-growing consumer markets, with projections of .1 trillion in consumer expenditure by 2025, Adegoke said.

The statement quoted Mrs Victoria Oluwaniyi, a Director at Nimbus, as saying that 10 pre-seed start-ups and women-owned businesses would receive a month free exposure worth two million naira each on Nimbus digital screens.

The Nimbus Aid Project is a corporate social responsibility effort in which the company gives back to the community by offering eligible start-ups and SMEs one month of free advertising on its digital advertising boards.

Since its inception in 2016, the Nimbus Aid Project, has supported businesses and non-governmental organisations that demonstrate a dedication to educating, enabling, and empowering their communities to make the world a better place.

Nimbus has been at the forefront of providing innovative outdoor advertising solutions to businesses with footprints in Nigeria.

It has also demonstrated its dedication to its clients and African businesses by continually delivering innovative advertising solutions that improve its clients reach, visibility, and engagement, she said.

Mr Babs Fagade, Chairman of Nimbus Media Ltd., had earlier said that COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges within the global advertising industry but that they were able to manoeuvre.

Fagade noted that COVID-19 might not be the last of business disruptions, digital or otherwise, but that they were committed to leading the industry to grow in this regard.

Now is a unique time to forge and implement the innovations that will lead the outdoor advertising industry into the future, he said.

Nimbus Aid Project, formerly known as Nominate a Charity, had provided marketing support to organisations such ad the Morainbow Down-syndrome Foundation and Ask the Pediatrician.

Others were Siddiqah Street Kitchen, Doctors Health Initiative (DHI) Nigeria, Food Clique Support initiative, and Strap and Safe Charity to raise awareness and draw attention to their causes.

Nimbus is a digital out-of-home (OOH Advertising) media based in Lagos with a network of digital out-of-home advertising platforms across Nigeria deployed to improve reach, visibility, and engagement for clients across various industries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Moses Omorogieva

The Police Command in Lagos State has placed its operatives on red alert over alleged plans by suspected gunmen to attack the state.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the commands spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.

According to him, the command is not unmindful of intelligence reports suggesting that Lagos State could be on the radar of some persons planning attacks across the country.

To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has placed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Command on high alert.

Also placed on alert are all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders, in a bid to ensure that any planned attack is promptly and decisively nipped in the bud.

The Command is also working closely with other sister security agencies to ensure that no person or group of persons succeeds in destabilising the peace and serenity enjoyed by the good people of Lagos State, the CP said in the statement.

The image maker said that the Lagos police boss enjoined people in the state not to fear, assuring them that all human, material and operational resources had been fully and optimally deployed across the length and breadth of the state.

Hundeyin said that in all the border towns, persons coming in and going out were under serious surveillance to ensure that there was absolutely no breach of the peace in the state.

Consequent upon the carefully laid down security plans and strategies, all residents of Lagos State are urged to go about their lawful duties without panic or fear.

Lagos residents are equally enjoined to remain very vigilant and report suspicious movements and persons to security agencies, he said in the statement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Peter Dada

Source: NAN News

By Martins Abochol

Prof. Sunday Bako, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Jalingo, says the institution will establish an integrated farm that will provide a model ranch operation.

Bako gave the indication on Sunday while interacting with journalists in Jalingo.

He said that the integrated farm when completed, would produce some of the farm products locally consumed in the state.

He said that the university had engaged experts on the project which would also create employment and revenue for the university.

We have already begun modalities to establish an integrated farm for the university.

This farm, among many others things, will make a model ranch operation where it can produce pastures.

The farm will produce animal feeds, especially for poultry and fish.

This farm will also make available most of those agricultural products we consume locally, he said.

Bako said that he would not relent on his efforts to attain his goal of making the university a world-class citadel of learning. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Following the increase in the pump price of petrol, some federal and state civil servants have appealed to both governments to increase workers salaries to reduce their hardships.

The workers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday in Katsina, said the appeal was necessary because prices of goods and transportation had also skyrocketed.

Malam Abdullahi Balarabe, a Federal Government worker in Katsina, said that following the hike in fuel price, prices of goods had also doubled.

Balarabe said what he normally bought for N200 was now being sold for between N300 and N400, adding that this was constituting a serious challenge to low earning civil servants.

As you know, despite the increase in the pump price of fuel and the increase in the prices of foodstuffs and other goods, our salaries have remained the same.

Before the current increase in prices, the salaries of many of us could not even sustain us to the next salary day. Some of us spend our salaries on payment of credits, he said.

Mr Edwin Michael, also a federal civil servant, said that he had to park his vehicle to walk to office because some of the fuel stations sold petrol for more than N184 a litre.

We are appealing to the Federal Government to do everything possible to increase workers salaries to cover the deficit in our monthly take-home.

If I now go to the market with my salary I dont think it will be enough for me to buy what I used to buy before the current increase in the prices of goods, he said.

Also, Malam Adamu Ibrahim, a state civil servant, said that the situation was beyond description, adding that only God could intervene.

He said that his salary as an office assistant could hardly sustain him for the month.

Ibrahim also called on the state government to increase the salaries of its workers, especially those at the lower grades.

A visit by NAN to the Katsina Central Market showed that traders had increased the prices of foodstuffs and other goods.

Malam Ismail Garba, one of the traders, said the increase in the prices of goods was due to the hike in transport fare.

NAN reports that a litre of fuel now sells for between N184 and N220 in petrol stations in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Kingsley Kubeyinje

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and other dignitaries on Friday night joined worshippers as the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, Abuja led the congregation to pray for peace and security of the country.

Thousands of worshippers had thronged the church for its Mid-Year Praise and Worship Night, to seek the face of God over the state of security and other challenges facing the country.

Notable among personalities at the programme were Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom and Mrs Edith Okowa, Wife of Delta Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also in attendance were the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara and South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Thami Mseleku amongst others.

Enenche, while praying for the nation, said that Nigeria was at war with the forces of hell and prayer was a potent weapon to defeat them.

Reading from the book of Numbers 10:9-10, he prayed for the rebirth of the nation and a new Nigeria and prayed that the nation would not go down.

The pastor urged Christians to continue to pray for the peace of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the over 100,000 capacity church auditorium known as Glory Sanctuary was filled to the brim.

The church programme, which is a special praise and worship night tagged, Judgmental Praise drew gospel music ministers from across Nigeria and beyond.

Among the gospel artists that attended include Nathaniel Bassey, Chioma Jesus, Buchi, Frank Edward, Mercy Chinwo, Owie Abutu, Dusin Oyekan and many in-house music ministers.

Enenche and his family also ministered in songs as well as the Lords Trumpeter.

The major highlight of the programme was intermittent prayer for the nation and praise and worship to God.

NAN observed that the church maintained a security system that carried out thorough checks on both vehicles and pedestrians entering the premises.

There were layers of security checks from the gate while the main entrance of the auditorium have two baggage scanners where all bags were screened.

Some worshippers who spoke with NAN alluded their decision to come for the night event to their belief that God is the ultimate protector of man.

A worshipper, Mr Mike Johnson, said he did not expect people to turn out for the church programme because of the fear of insecurity in FCT in recent times.

He said he refused to give in to fear and believed that no evil could triumph in the presence of God.

Yes there is tension in the city and many people are afraid but the children of God should not be afraid of evil because fear is the greatest enemy of man, he said.

Another congregant, Mrs Comfort Onjeh, said that she never at any point entertain such fear of insecurity while planning to attend the programme.

Onjeh urged Christians to pray more instead of being afraid of what the enemies of the country were doing.

She urged the government and the security agencies to do their best in addressing the situation so that citizens could feel safe and move freely. (NAN)(www.nannws.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News