By Stephen Adeleye

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), said it had employed and trained 7,452 Independent Monitors to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the integrated National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) across the country.

The Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, disclosed this at the inauguration of the training and onboarding of 3,000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors of the N-SIP in Lokoja.

The minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs Bilikisu Dauda-Damisa, said the training and onboarding of the Stream 2 monitors took place on June 9 in Abuja.

She noted that the Stream l, had 4,452 Independent Monitors trained and enrolled in February and March 2021, while Stream ll had 3,000, totaling 7, 452 Independent Monitors across the country.

Umar-Farouq added that the ministry had provided working tools in the form of Tablets for them to carry out their monitoring activities on the field.

She said the NSIP was created by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 with the mandate of lifting citizens out of poverty through a number of Social Interventions.

According to her, the NSIP include Job Creation NPOWER, National Home-Grown School Feeding (NHGSFP), Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

She said that since NSIP commenced in 2016, over one million youths had been employed under N-POWER, two million beneficiaries under CCT, 10 million pupils under HGSFP and 230,000 under the GEEP intervention programmes.

She said the Independent Monitors were responsible for monitoring the NSIPs in their various communities in schools, households, and market clusters with the focus of ensuring that its primary objectives were achieved.

Monitors are one of the most important components of the NSIP and the ministry lays special emphasis on ensuring its programmes were closely monitored.

We have monitors in every local government area, where the NSIPs are being implemented, she said.

She urged the independent monitors to work hand in hand with the state NSIP team, and cautioned them against intimidation or harassment of beneficiaries.

Any Independent Monitor found intimidating or harassing a beneficiary will be taken off the programme.

Be informed that we have officials of the EFCC and DSS working with us on this programme, and those found culpable will be handed over to relevant authorities, she said.

The minister urged the participants to use the resources and working tools given to them judiciously.

Earlier, the states Focal Person of N-SIP, Mr Suleiman Onyekehi, said the social intervention programmes had achieved a tremendous success in alleviating poverty in the state.

Onyekehi, who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, said 177,000 of the 258,000 enrolled pupils from Primary 1 to 3, were currently being fed, and over 3,000 cooks recruited in the state.

He appealed to the Federal Government for improvement in budgetary allocation of N70 per child, saying inflation rate had rendered the N70 inadequate to feed a child.

He added that over 74,000 CCT beneficiaries currently receiving N10,000 each bi-monthly; over 26,000 Npower beneficiaries of both Batch C, Stream 1

Sen. Adeleke while casting vote

By Joshua Oladipo

The Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) governorship candidate in Osun, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has won his polling unit at the ongoing election in the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reports that Adeleke who cast his vote in ward 2 , unit 9 , Abogunde /sagba area, in Ede North Local Government, polled 218 votes to defeat the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola , who polled 23 votes .

NAN further reports that the Accord Party had only one vote at Ward 2, unit 9 at Abogunde /Sagba area, in Ede North.

Adeleke had earlier cast his vote at 8:39 a.m, at ward 2 polling unit 9 in Ede North, under tight security and confidence of winning the election.

Also, Ede north has a total registered voter of 71,750 for the governorship election, with 151 polling units and 11 registration areas, while Ede South has 54, 880 registered voters, with 89 polling units and 10 registration areas.

The governorship candidates for the election are Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, PDP and Oyegoke Omigbodun, Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Other key candidates are Dr Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord (A); Mr Yusuf Lasun, Labour Party (LP ); Munirudeen Atanda, Action Democratic Party ( ADP) and Busuyi Ayowole, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). ( NAN ) (www. nannews.ng)

JOO/IA

Source: NAN News

By Olajide Idowu

Iragbiji (Osun), July 16, 2022 (NAN) Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Saturday, won the election at his polling unit at Unit 2, Ward 1, LA Primary School Popo, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun, polling 545 votes out of a total 622 valid votes cast.

INEC ad hoc official that announced the results, Presiding Officer, Valentine Awoegbe, gave the breakdown of the results as : Accord party-one vote, AAT-one vote, ADP- five votes and YPP- one vote.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came a distant second with 69 votes while eight votes were voided.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting at the polling unit, that had 1,457 registered voters, ended at about 3:23 p.m when the last person in the queue cast her vote.

Sorting of the ballots, however, commenced at 3:37 p.m in the presence of political party agents and voters waiting around to hear the outcome of the vote count.

The counting later started by 4:25 p.m. with the final results announced by 4:55 p.m.

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and his wife Kafayat, had earlier been to the polling unit to cast their votes, with the governor commending the turnout of the electorate at the polling unit.

Oyetola, however, admonished INEC to provide more Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the polling centre, because of the number of registered voters at the area, saying it would make the voting process faster (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has wished Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speedy and full recovery, after the latter went through a surgical procedure on Saturday to treat recurrent pain caused by a fracture in his leg.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja, expressed glory to God for a successful surgery, and prayed for speedy and full recovery.

He commended the medical team at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, for their competence, and a job well done.

Buhari assured the Vice-President of the prayers of Nigerians, and that of his family. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Medical doctors, who performed surgical operation on Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, to treat a recurrent pain caused by a fracture in his leg have concluded the procedure, describing it as successful.

Osinbajos Spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, posted a statement from the hospitalconfirming that the vice-president had a successful leg surgery on Saturday at the Duchess International Hospital, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The vice-president was admitted to Duchess International Hospital, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, today on account of a fracture of his right femur (thigh bone), possibly related to a longstanding injury associated with a game of squash.

He had a surgical operation performed by a team of specialist doctors, including Dr Wallace Ogufere, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Om Lahoti, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Dr Babajide Lawson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Others were Dr Ken Adegoke, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Critical Care,Dr Oladimeji Agbabiaka, Consultant Anaesthetist and Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi, Consultant Physician and Medical Director.

The operation was successful and Osinbajo is expected to be discharged within the next few days,Dosunmu-Ogunbi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Dr Zayyanu Tanko, a winner of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Award, has solicited for grants and soft loans from the Federal and State Governments.

Tanko, who is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Tanko Furniture Factory Ltd, Sokoto, was among the 10 entrepreneurs who received the 5th edition of the awards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he was the only awardee from the North West region of Nigeria.

The award was presented to him and nine other winners by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on June 27.

Reacting to the development in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Sokoto, the awardee also sought for patronage of the national awardees by the three tiers of government.

This, he noted, should be done in the execution of their various contracts related to furniture products.

Tanko also called on the governments to prevail on various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make their purchases from them.

The entrepreneur further urged wealthy Nigerians to patronise Made-In-Nigeria furniture and other related wood products.

This, he said, was imperative in improving the nations economy, rather than buying such products abroad, thereby weakening the Naira.

By doing so, the factories would be bolstered, hence, boost the economy of the country, reduce the rising unemployment as well as create more job opportunities.

Patronising the national awardees would help to further shore up the foreign reserve of the nation, he said.

The entrepreneur however commended the Federal Government for instituting the yearly awards.

Tanko said: I really felt too elated to have been among the only 10 entrepreneurs in the entire country chosen for this award.

This will really spur me and my co-awardees from other parts of the country to continue to do our possible best to ensure that Nigerias economy blossomed.

We will also continue to use local materials to produce more Made-In-Nigeria products, for Nigerians and for export.

Tanko also lauded Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State for providing an enabling environment for enterprises and other economic ventures to thrive. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Adeleke
By Joshua Oladipo
Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Governorship Candidate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cast his vote at exactly 8.50 a.m at Ward 2 polling Unit 9 in Ede North Local Government area of Osun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the BVAS initially rejected the thumb print of Adeleke.

He later went through the facial recognition before he was able to vote.

Adeleke, shortly after voting, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for making the accreditation processes and voting smooth and easy.

He said that the election was so far peaceful, expressing confidence of winning after the whole exercise and becoming the next Governor of Osun.

Adeleke, also commended the security personnel for their commitment toward ensuring the safety of lives and property in the ongoing governorship election.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governorship election is taking place in all the 30 local government areas of Osun with 3,763 polling units and 332 registration areas.

Also, Ede North has a total registered voters of 71, 750 for the governorship election, with 151 polling units and 11 registration areas.

Also, Ede South has 54, 880 registration voters, with 89 polling units and 10 registration areas. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

By Kelechi Ogunleye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned residents in Osun against deliberate attempt to raise false alarm to distract security operatives.

NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Olusola Odumosu, said the warning became imperative following reports from the Corps situation room of false reports from some residents on voting disruption at certain polling centers.

Odumosu said that investigations from the officers on ground and intelligence agents reported that most of the allegations were false.

He said that although it was important for suspected election riggings, vote buying and other criminal activities to be reported to security agencies, it was also important not to give false information.

He said that some miscreants could dwell on the opportunity to carry out some mischievous activities.

Odumosu reiterated that officers and men of the Corps alongside other security agencies had been deployed personnel to provide adequate security at the 3,763 polling units of the state.

He said that security reinforcement had been ensured at some of the reported polling units to investigate and arrest suspects if the need arise.

He said senior officers of the corps had embarked on election patrol to other senatorial districts as Deputy Commandant General (DCG) Dauda Mungadi in charge of Operations awaited further information from the district heads.

Odumosu said that the DCG had earlier monitored the voting process at various polling units and expressed satisfaction at the efforts of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies ensuring the election was free, fair, safe and credible.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NSCDC Osun Command had announced its toll-free numbers as: 08060003181, 08032898909 and N-alert number: 080046837467.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Aderonke Ojo

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has said that Nigeria has the best cyclists in Africa.

Dare disclosed this when the President of Confederation of African Cycling (CAC), Mohammed Azzam and the President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), Giandomenico Massari, paid him a joint courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.

The News of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2022 Africa Track Cycling Championships are expected to kick off on Thursday (today) in Abuja and end on Sunday.

The minister said that he was looking forward to Nigeria winning medals at the championships.

He implored the CFN president to continue to promote the sport in Nigeria, to enable it to dominate the continent.

We want to thank the CAC for the support it gives Nigerian cyclists, to be among the best in the world.

We hope that Nigerian athletes would continue to enjoy such support, he said.

The president of the CFN, Giandomenico Massari, thanked the minister for giving the federation the opportunity to host the continental event.

He said the event would afford Nigerians cyclists and their colleagues from other African countries the opportunity to showcase their skills.

NAN reports that Nigeria won the first edition of the championships in Abuja in 2019.

A total of 15 counties will participate in the tournament. (NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kingsley Ikubeyinje

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has pl ged his commitment to the capacity development of army officers, to enable them confront the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.

Yahaya gave the assurance at the graduation of the participants of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 4/2022 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) on Friday in Abuja.

He said the Nigerian army had over the years focused on manpower development of both senior and junior military officers, but added that the focus on senior officers was in tandem with global best practices.

Yahaya said that the course was conceptualised and sustained by the leadership of the Nigerian army to further develop the capacity of very senior officers.

The COAS said the main was to enhance their knowledge, skills and competencies in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies, as well as management of human and material resources.

According to him, the drive is consistent with those of credible organisations, including intelligence and security agencies globally.

It is therefore the pattern and highlight that constant capacity development at all level remains crucial to attaining the vision of all organisations, including Nigerian army, and indeed the armed forces.

This is also necessary to enable the organisation function effectively in the evolving and dynamic contemporary environment.

Indeed, the concept of strategic leadership management, as well as policy formulation has become recurring indices and their routine activities of all organisations and the armed forces is no exception, he said.

Yahaya urged the participants to continuously deploy the knowledge acquired to achieve success in their future assignments.

According to him, the curriculum for the programme has been designed to relate theoretical concepts with field experience.

It is my sincere hope that this programme has stimulated your overall intuition to reason and function in line with current national and our political realities, he added.

Earlier, Director-General, NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was a home grown initiative that had attracted patronage from all security and intelligence agencies.

Wahab said the course had helped to foster stronger relationship between the armed forces and other security agencies by knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each other.

According to him, expectations are high on the participants based on what have been impacted on them and their ability to analyse and look at issues critically.

He said the course had 43 senior officers drawn from the military, police, Department of States Service, Customs and Federal Road Safety Corps among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News