By Franca Ofili

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has received ,000 dollars from Coca-Cola Foundation to accelerate vaccination for Nigerians against COVID-19.

Mr Chima Nwankwo. Coordinator, Communications and Advocacy of the society, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The grant, awarded through the #StoptheSpread fund, administered by the foundation is valued at ,000 dollars.

It will focus on increasing vaccine uptake and logistic support in key states where there have been established vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria.

IFRC will work with local Red Cross Society teams and volunteers to execute the programme.

This donation will enable the cross access some of the hardest to reach communities in Nigeria, he said.

Quoting Mr AbubakarKende, Secretary-General of the Society, Nwankwo said: If we are to have any chance at stopping COVID-19 transmission, we must ensure that we make it possible for these communities to not just understand the danger this virus portends, but also through personal protection and access to vaccination.

He said the mobilisation campaign would create public enlightenment messages about the benefits of taking the vaccine and also help interested persons find a vaccination site closest to them.

According to him, the society volunteers have already commenced risk communication and community engagement activities in communities in Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kogi, Ebonyi and Edo states.

He said that as part of the intervention and community advocacy, the cross volunteers would provide useful information to members of the communities about the benefits of the vaccine.

Nwankwo said that the volunteers would also address the quell rumors and myths associated with virus.

He said they would provide clear answers to questions relating to the pandemic as well as direct community members to medical facilities where they could get vaccinated safely.

According to him, the campaign will run until October. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Education Secretariat, on Friday in Abuja vowed to shut down any school that failed to meet the minimum standard of educational curriculum.

Mrs Magdalene Uzoanya, Acting Director, Quality Assurance Department of the Education Secretariat, issue the warning at a meeting with the leadership of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter.

She reiterated the determination of the department to enforce compliance with the Nigerian Educational Curriculum and ensure quality in both teaching and learning in the FCT.

The director also warned private schools that operate with expired accreditation certificates to desist from such act.

She cautioned such school against preventing officials of the FCT administration from accessing their schools for routine inspection to desist from such acts or face the full wrath of the law.

Uzoanya said there are various stages, procedures and approval for the establishment of schools.

She insisted that all statutory laws and other regulations pertaining to management of schools in the FCT must be fully complied with.

She warned that any unregistered and illegal schools would be close down, adding that no substandard schools would be allowed to exist in the FCT.

The director frowned at the non-compliance to the guidelines and non-payment of the approved annual accreditation fees by some private school owners.

She said especially those with magnificent infrastructures, describing such act as against the laid down rules.

The department will not issue recognition and accreditation certificates to any school found wanting in this regard.

She advised school proprietors to pay the approved fees due to the administration, adding that the department would not issue certificates to those who were yet to pay the fees.

This is important in the revenue drive of the FCT Administration.

She assured that the department would not compromise on its mandate of monitoring and inspection of schools to ensure total compliance to the minimum standards, while registering and accrediting of both private and public schools.

The Deputy Director and Chairman, Revenue Taskforce, Malam Mudi Mohammed said the schools should brace up and pay their fees.

He warned that it was no longer business as usual because the taskforce would not leave any stone unturned to ensure schools operating in FCT complied strictly with the guidelines, especially as it regards prompt payment of annual accreditation fees.

Mohammed said available record showed that many schools were indebted to the FCTA and his team was ready to recover the debts.

Responding on behalf of the proprietors, Mrs Rukayyat Agboola, the Chairperson of the association said the new executives of the association were in the department to interface and work in partnership with the regulatory body.

She said the many challenges faced by school owners, especially in the face of the prevailing economic situation and the COVID 19 pandemic, which forced many schools to close down due to financial constraints.

She advocated for a grant from the government for private school owners to enable them ease the financial burden being faced. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The technical working group on repatriation of Nigerians displaced from the North-East on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, submitted its report to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had in February, inaugurated a Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North-East chaired by the vice president.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, who chaired the technical working group, spoke with State House correspondents after the submission of the report to the vice president.

Zulum disclosed that no fewer than 50, 000 indigenes from the North-East who were refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic had been repatriated so far.

The president has inaugurated a committee few months ago that will look into the repatriation of indigenes of Borno and other states of the North-East that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon as well as Niger.

Sequel to his inauguration, the vice president inaugurated the technical working group, sub-committee, which is headed by my humble self.

This afternoon, we presented the report to the vice president with a view to ensuring that the repatriation exercise from Cameroon will continue immediately while the repatriation of Nigerians that are living in the Republic of Niger and the Republic of Chad will resume very soon.

Within the last few years, we have repatriated no fewer than 50, 000 people but we still have more than 200,000.

He expressed optimism that indigenes of Borno and other states in the North-East who were willing to return would be re-established.

The governor said that the security situation in the region had improved as he hoped that the president would make the needed approvals for the repartitions.

So, what we are looking now is to see how we can repatriate indigenes of Borno State that are living in Niger especially those that are from Malumfatori, Abadam Local Government Area that are willing to come back.

While we have those from Gwoza Local Government Area, Bama Local Government Area mainly that leaving from Cameroon; they are also willing to come.

We also have indigenes of Kukawa and Marte Local Government Areas that are living that living in Chad.

So, I think the vice president will do the needful to ensure that the president gives immediate approval in terms of funding and other logistics required for the re-establishment of these communities in Borno State; the security situation has greatly improved, he said.(NAN)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

The President of the FCT Baptist Conference, Rev. Dogara Gwana, has called for collaborative efforts to promote religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and social cohesion in the country.

Gwana made the appeal on Thursday at a press conference to mark the opening of the 7th Annual Session of the FCT Baptist Conference, holding in Abuja.

He said that the church would partner with the media to pray earnestly for Nigeria to attained its full potential and play prominent role in the comity of nations.

He observed that Nigeria was facing multifaceted challenges, ranging from social unrests, insecurity, and criminality, which required concerted efforts to address.

We appreciate the presidents commitment during the Democracy Day message to Nigeria where he promised to end the insecurity before his tenure ends.

We call on the president to keep his word and mobilise all government apparatus to go after these criminals until they are fully rounded up.

This we believe is within the capacity of our military, if there is government will power and true commitment, Gwana said.

On the closure of universities, he said government and labour unions in the universities must return to the negotiating table.

We appeal to the Federal Government and the leadership of ASUU to return to the negotiating table with the sole aim of rescuing the future of our younger generation, he added.

He also spoke on the high cost of living in the country due to hyper-inflation which has made everyone, both the rich and the poor to cry.

Although the Federal Government has invested heavily into the local rice production, yet the price of even the local rice produced in-country is still at the rooftops.

Foodstuff, transportation and other daily needs of the common man are completely unbearable.

On the 2023 national elections, Gwana expressed concern over the use of money to buy delegates during the political parties primaries, describing the situation as most unfortunate.

He said that government must take punitive measures to curb the trend.

The FCT Baptist president also said any attempt by any political party to pick presidential running mate from same religion would be unfair and unjust.

It is not in keeping with the principles of fair play and equal representation, he added.

He therefore called on the presidential candidates to aim at healing the country and apply wisdom in the actions they would take toward selecting their running mates.

We call on all citizen living in the country to do whatever it takes to get their voters card, in order to be able to participate in the coming general election. Praying is good, but is not enough.

We commend INECs efforts at making the registration easy by establishing more centers and booths.

We are confident that the processleading to the elections will continue in the direction of fairness and justice, he added.

He also called for the return of mission schools taken over in the 70s by government, saying doing so would help their original owners to restore sanity back to the system.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yusuff

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado
A clergyman, Pastor Adonri Osaretin has urged civil servants to shun all corrupt tendencies and work diligently in the service of humanity and the country.

Osaretin who is the pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Springforth zone, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The clergyman said that public servants had a share in the success or failure of any administration in the country, because of their role as the engine room of any government.

For the public servant, I think that they should know they have a great responsibility to themselves, generations yet unborn, and to this country.

The politicians, whether they fail or they succeed depends on how strong the civil service is.

So, before you look out to the politician, first of all you have to be sure of what you are contributing.

You have to make sure you are delivering the results you are supposed to deliver for the attainment of the collective goal.

I dont have any doubt that Nigeria is a great nation and Nigeria can be greater.

But, the speed with which well get to that level we want, depends on how much we all put to the development of Nigeria, Osaretin said.

The pastor, a retired civil servant, said for one to succeed, there must be focus, trust in God, consistency and diligence in the work people do at every level in life.

I have tried to be focused, I have tried as much as possible to make sure that what I do affect the lives of people, he said.

On the forthcoming general elections, Osaretin urged all eligible voters to obtain their voters card, in order to choose those who will lead them after the end of the present administration.

Get your PVCs, vote, dont stay in one corner and criticise, vote your conscience.

Look at the issues, look at the persons who can overcome those things delaying our development in Nigeria, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BTT/MZA/ORO

Source: NAN News

By Busayo Onijala

Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of External Affairs, has said the time is right to hold the third Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), adding that sports should also be introduced to the celebration.

Akinyemi, who is also a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), made this known during an event, The Second Conversation Series organised by NIIA and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, on Thursday, in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, themed: FESTAC of Sports highlighted the historical impacts of the first and second festivals.

NAN also reports that the first FESTAC took place in Dakar, Senegal in 1965 and was designed to bring the black race together while also trying to revive African traditions.

Meanwhile, FESTAC 77 was the largest gathering of blacks in history, with over 58 countries and 17,000 participants.

According to Akinyemi, the vision of FESTAC should not be allowed to die and the addition of sports is necessary because of its importance in promoting soft diplomacy.

The former DG urged that sports should be used to build in black solidarity around the world adding that it had the ability to help us forget our differences .

We are embarking on building a new world order because the war between Russia and Ukraine is destroying the old world order.

Sports can be one of the instruments that we blacks will put on the table for that new order, he said.

He applauded NIIA for coming up with the vision and concept of a FESTAC of Sports and urged the media to help spread the conversation that had been started.

Similarly, the Director-General of NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, said FESTAC had laid a template for what could be done using the prowess, area of strength and comparative advantage that blacks and Africans had to show to put the world together.

Osaghae stressed that sports diplomacy had come to stay, adding that the festival would change the world positively, bringing people of different races together.

We will continue to have conversations about this and consequently, the outlines of a global movement created around a festival of arts, culture and sports will emerge.

This will change the course of the history of the black race, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Busayo Onijala

For the German government, addressing climate change and doing everything possible to mitigate its consequences are a top priority, says Marton Kver, Acting Consul General of the countrys mission in Lagos.

Kver stated this at a press conference, on Thursday in Lagos, organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) ahead of the West African Clean Energy and Environment Trade Fair and Conference 2022 (WACEE22).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WACEE 2022 will hold from Oct. 19 21 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

Having held virtually in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year, WACEE will hold as a hybrid event with the theme Catalysing Sustainable Investments.

Kver said the conference would provide a platform for over 1500 visitors and over 50 exhibitors in the clean energy, water, and circular economy sectors.

According to him, having an event that brings together saving the planet, strengthening the economy and creating economic ties is like having the best of both worlds.

He added that the consulate in Lagos and the German Foreign Service across West Africa would support WACEE 2022 in all ramifications.

For all Nigerian businesses and everyone who is a stakeholder in these different sectors; circular economy, water and renewable energy, this will be a key event you will be proud to be a part of.

Nigeria has been for many decades, one of the economic partners of Germany in Africa, as witnessed by the number of German businesses and historic ties.

We are also happy that in partnership with the Swiss Consulate General, we are hosting the second Swiss-Nigerian Forum at WACEE 2022, he said.

He said Germany was one of the world leaders in developing industries with regards to renewable energy, noting that German companies in Nigeria came to build sustainable partnerships and to innovate.

Also, Katharina Felgenhauer, AHK Nigeria Delegate, said the trade fair and conference had attracted leading inventors, service providers, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, investors and industry experts.

She added that it had served as a gateway for these stakeholders to access West African markets.

WACEE has also sparked important policy discussions around its three main topics and has served as a launchpad for startups providing innovative solutions to tackle challenges across the subregion, said Felgenhauer.

She said AHK Nigeria had sought endorsements from various government agencies but also wanted to make sure that the trade exhibition, as well as the conference remained private sector driven.

This, she said, was because sustainability also meant business viability.

We want to make sure that the conversations and discussions about technology and business models are driven by the private sector because they are the ones who will have to implement, the delegate said.

Speaking on solutions to challenges faced by investors, Felgenhauer said the role of AHK Nigeria was to support investments to make sure that more German companies were attracted to Nigeria.

We will not shy away from challenges. I think we have issues to tackle but we also have a lot of good local partners, German partners and international partners to have these conversations, she said.

Andrew Aryee, Head, Competence Centre Energy and Environment, AHK Nigeria, explained that the trade fair would include open interactive sessions, insightful workshops, tailor-made training programmes, and an exhibition.

According to him, the three-day tailored plenary programme will bring together industry experts, business leaders, and relevant decision-makers.

He said they would examine key sector topics and engage in thought-provoking conversations around recent developments, challenges and opportunities in the focused sectors across West Africa.

These sectors, he said, included technology providers, key industry players, investors, industry experts as well as political and economic decision-makers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has stepped up its collection efficiency with the unveiling of IRecharge, a payment platform, to ease payment of electricity bills by customers.

Dr Tinuade Sanda, the Managing Director, EKEDC, made the announcement while speaking at the companys headquarters on Thursday in Lagos.

Sanda said the payment solution was done in collaboration with IRecharge Tech-Innovations.

Sanda said, As deeply ingrained in our mission statement, we seek to improve the quality of life for all our customers by utilising cutting-edge technology and innovative processes to supply electricity sustainably, reliably, and safely.

As a result, what is happening here today is a testament to that notion. I am excited about this payment solution by IRecharge.

It will further ensure both our postpaid and prepaid customers go through a seamless process of paying their electricity bills and purchasing their prepaid meter tokens without any hassles.

The new service enables customers to make their frequent utility bill payments through the use of a unique NUBAN account number.

While Eko Disco is making great efforts toward the availability of adequate power supply to customers, we must also secure our revenue by ensuring customers find it easy to pay their electricity bills.

She assured the customers that the platform was not only fast and convenient, but was also safe for them to make their transactions.

Sanda reiterated that the company would explore innovative ways to deliver values and improve its service delivery in order to maintain its leadership status in the Nigerian power industry.

Mr Tomi Araromi, the Managing Director, IRecharge Tech-Innovations, said the launch was to sensitise EKEDC customers about the new payment platform.

Araromi said payment of electricity bills could be made with just one bank transfer to these account numbers.

He added that it was aimed at providing a safe and reliable bill payment experience to customers.

He said: The new payment solution provides and pairs a unique NUBAN number to every prepaid meter number and postpaid account number.

Payment to this NUBAN numbers automatically generates and sends a token/receipt to the payee via SMS, Email and WhatsApp without convenience fees.

Customers through this solution will have access to convenience, accessibility, transaction security, shorter turnaround time, 24/7 customer support, instant value receipt and several other benefits.

Araromi said the permanent account numbers could be retrieved through the IRecharge website, downloading the IRecharge App, by dialing 66061# USSD Code or via WhatsApp through 09096666612.

He said payments to these account numbers could be done via several channels such as internet banking, ATM transfer, USSD transfer, bank deposit and at any mobile money agent location (POS).

On their parts, Mr Innocent Ike, the Managing Director, Polaris Bank and Mr Usifo Ogbebor, Group Head, Power Sector, Zenith Bank, lauded EKEDC and IRecharge for the initiative.

They maintained that collection of bills was a critical part of the power industry value chain, adding that the innovative platform would improve ease of making payments for customers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to be tolerant of one another and embrace peace for the general good of the society.

The presidents spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, said Buhari made the appeal after visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Thursday.

Buhari toured the permanent exhibitions at the Memorial and laid a wreath at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims of the genocide were buried.

He also paid tribute to the memory of the victims and prayed for healing for the survivors.

After the historic visit, the president told journalists that a lesson from his visit was the need for Nigerians to continue to be tolerant of one another.

He added the nation should preserve its own historical antecedents from the Nigeria Civil War (1967-1970).

I went through all the experiences from 15 January 1966 to date.

I was a Governor, Minister, and Head of State and went through detention. I returned to partisan politics and will finish my two-terms as constitutionally allowed.

We fought a 30-month bitter civil war and we killed about a million of each other. Nigeria went through this kind of terrible development process, Buhari said.

Before departing, the president also wrote in the visitors book:

Remembering the victims of this dark history of the Rwanda Genocide, we pray that humanity will never experience this kind of hatred, wickedness and violence to others because of their ethnic background, religion and beliefs.

Nigeria is strongly committed to the prevention of mass atrocity anywhere in the world and believes that perpetrators of such crimes; and their enablers, anywhere in the world must be held accountable.

The Nigerian leader is in Kigali, Rwanda to participate in the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

He will hold bilateral talks with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson on Thursday.

Buhari will also attend the official opening of CHOGM on Friday, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Combat Support Arms are considered as enablers for the successful prosecution of any operation by the Nigerian Army.

Yahaya said this at the closing of the Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) 2022, hosted by the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps on Thursday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Commander of Artillery Corps, Maj.-Gen. Tari-Timiye Gagariga.

Yahaya said the role of the combat support arms was critical to the accomplishment of assigned missions, especially in todays 21st century asymmetric warfare.

He said it was with the realisation of such critical roles that the Nigerian Army would continue to count on the professional disposition of its personnel in the ongoing efforts to keep the country safe and united.

According to him, this years training week has provided a window for realistic reassessment of the capabilities of the combat support arms vis--vis the challenges therein.

We must therefore, device formidable ways through which some of these challenges can be overcome to achieve mission objectives.

While, we look forward to internalising some of the observations and solutions, including lessons learnt, I want to also seize this opportunity to urge you all to continue to discharge your responsibilities professionally.

I also charge all Nigerian army personnel to conduct themselves professionally in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility, he said.

The COAS said it was expected that the gains achieved during the 2022 COSAT week would manifest in the field in the days to come.

He said the theme: Building Competencies in Combat Support Arms to Enhance Contemporary Nigerian Army Operation in a Joint Environment, had inspired rich discussions and interactions between participants throughout the period.

He enjoined the combat support arms to take note of the observations and solutions proffered during the interactive sessions to further develop their professional competences.

I have no doubt that everyone has gained immensely from the rich lectures and illuminating views of our erudite colleagues, both retired and serving distinguished officers.

I believe the training week afforded participants the opportunity, especially for the combat support arms, to appraise the state of their operations and readiness in providing effective support to the combat arms and the Nigerian army in general.

This is crucial, particularly as the nation faces myriad of security challenges.

As you are aware, the army is expected to deliver on her mandate at a time we are engaged in different operations across the country to safeguard law abiding citizens and to defend the territorial integrity of the country, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Army Combat support week is an annual training organised by the various combat support arms, such as artillery, engineers, signals and intelligence among others.

The week provides an avenue for participants who are serving and retired senior military officers to brainstorm and re-strategise toward providing effective support to contemporary security operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News