By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to reducing the lifelong consequences of poverty in the country.

Agba gave the assurance at the National Validation meeting on the draft National Social Protection Policy on Monday in Abuja.

He identified poverty as a challenge in the country, noting that available statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that about 40 per cent of the population live below the poverty line.

Agba, who stated that poverty in Nigeria was multidimensional, however, said that government had put in place different interventions to reduce poverty and mitigate its impact in the country.

He listed some of the interventions programmes initiated by government to reduce poverty to include the National Youth Investment Fund and the N-power government enterprise empowerment programme.

And most recently, the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy among others to finds solutions to the issue of poverty.

He explained that the National Social Protection Policy covered a range of policies and programmes needed to reduce the lifelong consequences of poverty and exclusion.

The minister said that the review of the policy was expected to accommodate some emerging issues on social protection and poverty alleviation in the country, which include COVID-19, emergence of urban poor and shock responsiveness.

Earlier, Ms Temi Esteri Fetera, the acting Chief of Social Policy, UNICEF Nigeria and Co-Lead, International Development Partners Group on Social Protection, said UNICEF has been in support of the national social protection policy since the development process of the policy commenced around 2012.

Fetera said that social protection has always existed in Nigeria in some form but it existed in an adhoc and fragmented way, not fully coordinated within a policy framework.

This changed with the active development of the National social protection policy around 2015 and its formal approval in 2017. The policy completed its first cycle and was due for review in 2020.

This validation exercise today is a key step in finalising the draft revised National Social Protection Policy which has been revised to be more robust, while still concise and incorporating emerging issues.

Social protection system strengthening is one of the core focus areas of the work of UNICEF in Nigeria. And one of the things that we did beyond advocating and providing technical assistance for the initial development of the social protection policy framework in Nigeria and the current revision process is the provision of direct technical support to key stakeholders.

This includes support to the formation and recapacitating of technical working groups comprising key social protection coordinating and implementing ministries, departments and agencies at federal and state levels.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting attracted Commissioners of Finance and Budget from the 36 states of the federation and FCT as well as other stakeholders.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

In its bid to promote environmental sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc has planted 7,205 trees across Africa to commemorate the 2022 Environmental Day.

The company made the disclosure in a statement signed by Mr Francis Awowole-Browne, Media and Communication Personnel, Dangote Industries Ltd., on Sunday in Lagos.

The 2022 World Environment Day celebrated June 5 annually focused on living sustainably in harmony with nature and raising awareness on environmental sustainability measures.

It said that the company also brokered a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and National Environmental Standards and the Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to reduce carbon emissions.

The company also collaborated with the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, and Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) as part of its initiatives to mark the 2022 World Environment Day in all its 14 production plants in Nigeria and Africa.

The Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Michel Puchercos, was quoted by the statement as saying that the company in demonstrating support for governments efforts was contributing climate solutions aimed at reducing Nigerias carbon emissions.

Puchercos said that the companys environment week programme supports African countries and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) joint venture agreement to invest in carbon avoidance and offsetting projects.

He said that to carry out the initiatives, Dangote Cement engaged experts to build the capacity of employees, local communities and other stakeholders on biodiversity conservation and progressive reclamation of mining sites.

Puchercos said that other topics addressed were soil rehabilitation and carbon mitigation with the company setting up a biodiversity garden at one of its mines in Nigeria to serve as model.

The World Environment Day centers on the need for humans to make deliberate efforts to save the earth by conserving biodiversity.

The forum brought together about 560 participants from the manufacturing and extractive industries, academia, government agencies, international agencies, civil society, media and environment enthusiasts across Africa, he said.

The Head of Sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc, Dr Igazeuma Okoroba, said the company was committed to complying with rehabilitation plans and exploring ways to protect the ecosystem in the communities where they operate.

The companys Head of Environment and Social Performance, Engr Tukur Lawal, said the objective of the initiative was to make mining sites safe for current and future land use.

Lawal said that specific goals include creating awareness amongst mining personnel, enabling mining stakeholders to understand the processes of identifying and evaluating species, flora and fauna for climate risk management.

The company is ready to engage with stakeholders to conserve biodiversity, mitigate carbon emission and make the environment safer.

In line with this years theme Only One Earth, not less than 1,708 Dangote employees volunteered in 46 different initiatives across 10 pan-African countries, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its half-year report of 2022 has commended the reduction in piracy in the globe.

Bureau also expressed optimism that it was a new dawn for the shipping community globally.

This was coming on the heels of the Bureau receiving the lowest number of reported incidents for the first half of the year since 1994, evidencing its efforts in raising awareness to make the waters safe globally.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Edward Osagie, Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Sunday in Lagos.

The Gulf of Guinea Declaration (GoG) on Suppression of Piracy has confirmed that there has not been any case of Seafarers kidnap one year after the May 2021 declaration.

This is considered commendable progress in comparison to the 2020 statistics when 130 seafarers were kidnapped.

The status report from the GoG declaration also confirmed that there had not been any case of kidnap for ransom in 2022, as against 20 cases in 2020 and 12 in 2021.

Responding, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said that Nigeria was committed to sustaining the momentum of the success recorded in recent times in the fight against piracy in the region.

It is heart-warming that the international maritime community is acknowledging the progress made so far. It is a direct result of collaboration amongst national, regional and non-regional stakeholders.

It is our hope that this trend will be sustained and very soon, we will start reaping the benefits such as a change of status concerning the Insurance premium paid on Nigerian bound cargoes; the War Riskpremium being paid at the moment.

We hope this status will change very soon, he said.

Jamoh said that the Baltic and International Maritime Council, (BIMCO), worlds largest direct-membership organisation for ship-owners, charterers, shipbrokers and agents called for the effective and full deployment of Deep Blue Assets on Anti-piracy tasking.

Key to the successes in the war against piracy are efforts of the Nigerian Navy in clamping down on pirates camps, the Deep Blue project C4i coastal surveillance and collaboration with international Navies for law enforcement off Nigerian waters.

Others are the series of meetings under the umbrella of the Gulf of Guinea maritime coordination Forum, Shared Awareness and DEconfliction, GoG/SHADE, Jamoh quoted BIMCO as saying.

IMB Director, Mr Michael Howlett, also confirmed that no case of vessel hijack took place in Nigerian waters in the first half of 2022.

The ICC and International Maritime Bureau (IMB) have confirmed that the first half of 2022 witnessed the least cases of piracy globally in 28 years with only 58 reported cases as compared to 68 within same period in 2021.

Of the 58 incidents, two were classified as piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with none of them occuring in Nigerian waters. While the reduction in reported incidents is indeed encouraging, the IMB PRC continues to caution against complacency, he said.

Howlett said that not only was this good news for the seafarers and the shipping industry, it was positive news for trade which promotes economic growth.

But the areas of risk shift and the shipping community must remain vigilant. We encourage governments and responding authorities to continue their patrols which create a deterrent effect, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Mr Haruna Abdullahi(4th L) during a courtesy visit to Tax Appeal Tribunal

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has concluded plans to clamp down on erring taxpayers.

The Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, made this known in a statement by the FCT-IRS Head Corporate Communications, Mr Mustapha Sumaila on Sunday in Abuja.

Abdullahi, according to the statement, made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Coordinating Secretary of Tax Appeal Tribunal, Hajara Oniyangi.

The acting chairman expressed concern at the poor level of compliance by taxpayers in spite of the huge number of taxpayers in the FCT.

He stated that it would no longer be business as usual, adding that the service was determined to ensure all taxpayers in FCT were responsive to their civic duties.

He stressed that the service would not leave any stone unturned, saying it was empowered by law to recover all outstanding tax liabilities while penalising tax defaulters.

We are engaging the Judiciary, security agencies, the mediaand other relevant stakeholders on this matter.

I can assure you that before the year runs out people will be held accountable.

We have built our capacity and it is our intention to make our mark by ensuring that people do what they are supposed to do according to the law.

He said the Service would be guided by the Personal Income Tax Act, Finance Act, FCT-IRS Act and of course the constitution in its operation.

Abdullahi, who assured the tribunal of the capacity of the service, charged members of the tribunal to justify the confidence reposed in them by bringing recalcitrant taxpayers to book.

The acting executive chairman expressed optimism that the exercise would prompt voluntary tax compliance, tax net growth and ultimately boost revenue generation.

The Coordinating Secretary, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Hajara Oniyangi, said the tribunal was established to settle disputes that could arise in the course of the duties.

She disclosed that the Tribunals processes were simple and clear with a reputation for prompt judgment delivery.

While lauding Abdullahis effort, Oniyangi highlighted the need for the service to intensify awareness, stating that taxpayers could not be entirely blamed for non-compliance.

She said there was a need for tax payers to be duly informed about tax processes, advantages of paying taxes as well as risks of non compliance.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Ahmed Aliyu, lauded the step taken by the service towards ensuring enforcement.

He pledged commitment of the tribunal to acting within the ambit of the law to ensure that cases from FCT IRS were given accelerated hearing.

He stressed the need for the FCT-IRS to harness all areas of revenue generation as permissible by law.

If for instance there are organisations that collect personal income tax and fail to remit, it is sometimes difficult to go in there and force them as a service.

That is why the tribunal was created by government and once judgment is delivered by the tribunal, even if a defaulter wants to appeal, he or she would have to first pay the money, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) was established byFCT Internal Revenue Service Act of 2015.

It is empowered by the National Assembly to administer tax and non-tax revenues accruable to the FCT.

It is responsible for collection of all taxes collectible by a state government in accordance with the Taxes and Levies (approved List of Collection) Act of 1998 as Amended.(NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free conduct of Osun governorship election, urging it to sustain the improvements ahead of 2023 election.

Prof. Victor Adetula, theSenior fellow and Election Analyst at the CDD Electoral Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC) and a lecturer at Unversity of Jossaid this ata Post-Election statememt briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

Adetula said that CDD-EACissued the statement on its overall findings on the conduct and outcome of the keenly contested election.

He said that INECs logistics and preparations as well as the conduct of security agents represented a marked improvement on the June 18 Ekiti governorship election.

He said that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successful adding that CDD-EAC observers noticed that as at 6:00p. m., 84.3 per cent of polling units covered had transmitted their results via BVAS.

On the basis of data received from CDD-EAC observers, CDD confirms that the collation process leading to the declaration of the governorship election results by INEC, was smooth and free of hitches.

At the CDD-EAC, we hope to see the improvements recorded in the recent elections replicated in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

The INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) was in full operation for the uploading of results in most of the polling units. At about 10:00pm, 99.7 per cent of the results were available on the IReV.

This level of compliance is commendable and needs to be encouraged for future elections, he said.

Adetula added:With a few exemptions, BVAS worked perfectly in almost all the polling units across the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He however, said that an important observation from the Osun election was the difficulty of the BVAS in capturing and accrediting the elderly.

He said that this was the case in the Ekiti election where it either worked after several trials and waiting by the elderly or did not work at all.

He said that in spite of the apprehension about the possibility of violence during the election, the process turned out to be peaceful.

He called on all political actors and contestants in Osun to maintain the peaceful and calm disposition during the post-election period and embrace the spirit of true sportsmanship.

Adetula said that CDD-EAC observers reported discreet vote-buying in the Osun election in contrast with the brazen vote-buying in the Ekiti electionbecause of the presence of anti-graft security personnel.

He said that CDD-EAC observers also reported substantial compliance with INECs guidelines as there was provision and equipment for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and people with special needs, such as pregnant women and elderly voters, to cast their ballots first.

Adetula added that CDD-EAC noted poor women representationas there was only six women deputy governorship candidates and no female governorship candidate in the election.

He said there were however ,several concerns relating to the conduct of political actors and the effects of their actions on the electoral process.

Of particular note, are the lack of internal party democracy, the unprincipled cross-carpeting of politicians from one party to the other, many litigations to disrupt the process and the attempts to buy voters instead of campaigning to win votes on the basis of issues.

According to him , CDD-EAC is of the view that the political parties need to make efforts to address these concerns as the country moves towards the general elections in 2023.

He said that the CDD-EAC Fake News Hub for the July 16, Osun governorship election closely monitored online and offline spaces and a number of fake news stories, misleading captions for images were tracked and checked.

As Nigeria marches towards the highly anticipated 2023 general elections, all stakeholders must sustain the synergies, which have contributed to the vast improvements recorded in Osun and Ekiti, he said.( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Olawale Alabi

Below is the final standings in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), following the conclusion of Match Day 38 and final weekend fixtures played on Sunday:

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Rivers United 38 23 8 7 58 24 34 77

Plateau United 38 21 4 13 50 29 21 67

Remo Stars 38 18 8 12 43 26 17 62

Kwara United 38 17 7 14 43 45 -2 58

Rangers International 38 15 11 12 41 30 11 56

Nasarawa United 38 15 8 15 42 48 -6 53

Enyimba International 38 15 7 16 39 36 3 52

Gombe United 38 14 10 14 39 39 0 52

Akwa United 38 13 13 12 35 36 -1 52

Wikki Tourists 38 15 7 16 34 35 -1 52

Sunshine Stars 38 14 9 15 30 30 0 51

Niger Tornadoes 38 15 6 17 32 38 -6 51

Abia Warriors 38 13 11 14 50 44 6 50

Dakkada FC 38 15 4 19 42 49 -7 49

Lobi Stars 38 14 7 17 36 48 -12 49

Shooting Stars 38 12 12 14 41 45 -4 48

Katsina United 38 15 3 20 34 42 -8 48

Heartland FC 38 13 8 17 32 48 -12 47

Kano Pillars 38 15 6 17 32 36 -4 45

MFM FC 38 9 9 20 26 51 -25 36

Rivers United win title, and qualify alongside Plateau United for 2022/2022 CAF Champions League

Remo Stars qualify for 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup competition

Katsina United, Heartland FC, Kano Pillars and MFM FC are all relegated to the lower league.

Kano Pillars had six points deducted from them for disciplinary issues. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

Pastor Chris Olukolade of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has urged men to trust and believe God for assistance in the face of prevailing challenges.

Olukolade who is in charge of Province 16 of the RCCG in the FCT, made the call during the redeemers Men Fellowship 2022 mens convention with the theme: In his Image on Saturday in Abuja.

The pastor described fathers as the backbone of every home and as such, should be patient and full of wisdom.

He urged men to be quick in making amends and taking corrections to ensure things went right in the homes, society and the country at large.

He said the mens fellowship and the Church were blessed with knowledge which was the reason for the annual gathering.

The convention sharpens and shapens the interest and joys of families beyond mere gatherings on Sunday.

We are given insight to life generally as if affects health, finances and our social life.

Pastor Paul Adebisi, Coordinator of the Redeemers Men Fellowship, RCCG Region 10, said the theme of the convention was apt.

He urged Christians to be a light in the society, to eliminate evils that had befallen the society.

Change from evil to good; it attracts good health, longer life and better society and country.

He also advised all men to participate in the upcoming elections by voting and be voted, for the change we deserve.

Pastor Michael Oluwole, President of the Redeemers Men Fellowship, said God was set to reenact His original purpose for man in our lives and families.

According to him, it is the prayer that the convention will enlist men to the realms of fruitfulness, authority and dominion as ordained for mankind from foundation of creation.

As men we will have to arise to obtain our portion of Gods provisions for our destiny

I pray this convention will launch us into the required fulfilled purpose as leaders in our various homes and ministries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convention featured programmes on health talks on the causes of prostate cancer, symptoms, risk factors and treatment.

It also featured lectures on security awareness and managing family finances.

The three-day convention ends on Sunday with a thanksgiving service.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

BTT/JPE/IA

Edited by Joseph Ede/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Adebola Adegoke

Financial experts have stressed the need for the Federal Government to implement the National Development Plan 2021-2025 (NDP) to spur the countrys economic growth.

The experts said this at a webinar on Saturday with the theme: Resetting Nigerias Economic Growth Trajectory.

They said that practical measures should be adopted to implement the plans to enhance revenue generation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDP which succeeds the Vision 20:2020 introduced in 2009 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is a bridge for the countrys long-term plan currently being developed, Nigeria Agenda 2050.

The vision of the plan is to unlock the countrys potential across all sectors of the economy for a sustainable, holistic, and inclusive national development.

Mr Lamido Yuguda, the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said that the implementation of NDP would boost productivity, employment and the standards of living.

Yuguda, represented by Mr Dayo Obisan, Executive Commissioner of Operations, SEC, said that the successful execution of the NDP was critical to achieving economic growth since its objectives cut across all sectors of the economy.

The Federal Government already has several laudable economic plans and the focus should be on increasing the level of implementation of these plans.

The NDP is one of such plans that the government can focus which is aimed at fostering economic growth and enhancing productivity.

One of its broad objectives is on economic diversification to improve non-oil revenue and increase the dollar earning power of our non-oil export.

It also focuses on investment in infrastructure; security and good governance; education and a healthy population; poverty alleviation; economic and social development across states, he said.

Mrs Chizor Malize, the Managing Director, Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC), emphasised the need to transit from a consumer nation to production for increased export capacity.

According to her, the government should take cues from Asian countries on how they develop their economies, especially in the areas of public health, transportation, technology and housing.

Malize said that the best way to drive large-scale employment was by reviewing policies on education and curriculum to equip and stimulate youths to become employers of labour.

She called on the government and other relevant stakeholders to consistently create an enabling environment to foster micro, small and medium-scale enterprises.

In China, we see a lot of strength and sophistication around technology but it will interest you to know that China started its reform through agriculture.

China recognise the importance of food security and alleviating people from poverty, so they leveraged investment in agricultural policies to create change and catalyse growth and empowerment.

One of the biggest things that drove Singapores success is visionary leadership because they deliberately tied political stability to economic growth.

Singapore was deliberate about infrastructure in public health, transportation and housing as well as free market principles where businesses can thrive and attract foreign investors without the huge tax burden.

Japan was crushed after World War 2 but now, manufacturing has elevated Japan and allowed them to command respect across the world, she said.

Malize added that the FITC was doing a lot to empower the youth with its development-focused projects in the areas of innovation, environment, agriculture, technology and health.

Also speaking, Mr Johnson Chukwu, the Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Ltd., urged the government to do more in growing the manufacturing, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and trade sectors, as these were key drivers of economic growth.

Chukwu said that growing the manufacturing sector involved addressing factors such as infrastructure, power supply, logistics, seaports for import and export of goods, transportation and availability of development finance initiatives.

He also stressed the need to develop human capital in the sector by ensuring the availability of quality education to build skills and capacity as well as produce quality goods for competitive advantage to attract investors.

The ICT sector contributes about 16.2 per cent to the economy. It is the new and digital economy and the government must do everything to encourage the sector, he said.

On his part, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader, PwC, called on the government to harmonise taxes and demonstrate value for it to citizens; to encourage tax morale, and boost governments revenue.

Oyedele said that tax evasion in the public sector also posed a great challenge for the government as it was losing revenue.

The biggest tax evasion in Nigeria is in the public sector, with Ministries Departments and Agencies not remitting taxes to the government.

Government has to think about harmonising taxes because the number of taxes and number of agencies collecting it is too many.

Nigerians are paying taxes but the government is not getting it due to corruption, leakages and inefficiency.

Therefore, to solve the revenue challenges, the government should address these leakages with automation, intelligence and data, he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Cardinal John Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) says it has trained and empowered no fewer than 100 drug addicts on various skills within four years.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Rev. Sister Agatha Chikelue, disclosed this at graduation/presentation of empowerment tools to the latest beneficiaries on Saturday in Abuja.

Chilelue explained that the programme which started in 2018 is called: Young People Living Above Drugs Addiction and Substance Abuse (YOLDA).

She said the programme was designed and initiated by the foundation to help the young people come out from drug abuse and reckless living.

According to her, between 2018 and 2019 we trained about 40 people, the second set was about 45 people.

This year has been the lowest, because last year we couldnt continue due to some issues we experienced.

When we came back, we realised that many of them had gone back to the act. Then, we went back to them and continued from where we stopped.

Today we are graduating 23 people. So, over 100 people have been trained, graduated and equipped in the last four years.

She noted that the foundation was aware of the effects of drug abuse to the society.

Aside the fact that drug abuse increases crime rate in the society, it has also damaged the lives of those who indulge in it.

Several persons who are into criminality act under the influence of one drug or the other.

So, having understanding of the negative impact of drug abuse, the foundation decided to partner National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to help these young people come out of the situation, she said.

Chikelue also explained that the foundation designed the programme into three phases, adding that the first phase was counselling section.

The second phase is the period when the foundation works closely with the people one-on-one, educating them on tips that can help them to desist from the addiction.

It is the period we educate them on the dangers of drug abuse, we encourage them and let them know that they can get out of it.

This phase used to last for a long period of six months, we give them instances of people that have been freed from the act and tell them that their lives can also be restored, she said.

The executive director disclosed that the third phase was the period the foundation involved medical experts, who would counsel and run series of medical tests and screenings to drug addicts.

According to her, the experts test the people on Herpetitis B, Herpetitis C, HIV/AID, liver/kidney problem to ensure that health wise they are sound.

She explained that the medical experts also commenced treatment on those who needed to be treated or any other medical attention as well as educated them on the dangers of drug abuse after treating them.

We realised that 85 per cent to 90 per cent of them go back into drugs abuse due to economic hardships.

Some had encountered disappointment, others their family cannot afford their needs and they cannot help themselves.

So, we enrolled them in some skills acquisitions of their choice and at the end we empower them.

It is actually a year programme. We have been doing it every year, since its inception.

She encouraged the graduates to be focused, adding that some of those that had graduated years past were doing well.

Mr Peter Njoku, from Department of Drug Demand Redirection Directorate, NDLEA, said that the agency was partnering the foundation to ensure that its objectives and mandates were achieved.

Njoku urged the graduands not to go back to the act as well as ensuring that they made good use of the equipment offered to them by the foundation.

Rev. Fr. Boniface Nebo, also a fellow of the foundation in his goodwill message, advised the graduands to be more vigilant and say no to drug abuse.

Similarly, Dr Francisca Eneh, also a Fellow of the foundation, congratulated the graduands saying that it was never late for them to achieve whatever skills they had equipped themselves on.

Eneh advised them to make good use of their talents and gifts God had bestowed in their lives.

Mr Dickson Eneje, one of the graduands, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the foundation, the NDLEA and others who supported the programme by ensuring that their lives were restored.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation trained the graduands in tailoring, hair dressing, catering, make-up and cosmetics, among others.

NAN also reports that the graduands were empowered with tailoring machines, dryers, hair extensions, generators, oven as well as cooking gas, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Agboyega Oyetola of Osun has appealed to his supporters to remain calm after he lost his re-election to Sen. Ademola Ademola.

Oyetola said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday in Osogbo.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) had taken cognisance of the results of the governorship election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

The governor, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.

Oyetola called on his supporters to remain calm, and the people of the state to go about their businesses without let or hindrance.

The governor also called on security operatives to ensure maintenance of law and order.

Oyetola also directed security operatives to take adequate charge so as to prevent breakdown of law and order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday morning declared Adeleke as the winner of the Saturdays governorship election in the state.

Announcing the results at the INEC Collation Centre, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was the Returning Officer, said that Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat his closet rival, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 375,027 votes.

NAN reports that the PDP won in 17 local government areas, while APC won in 13.

The 13 local government areas won by APC are; Ilesa East, Ayedaade, Boripe, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Boripe, Ola-Oluwa, Iwo, Isokan, Irewole, Atakumosa East and Ife East.

While the 17 local government areas won by PDP are; Boluwaduro, Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Ifelodun, Ilesa West, Odo-Otin, Obokun, Orolu, Olorunda, Ife North, Irepodun, Oriade, Ede South, Ejigbo, Ede North and Egbedore. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News