By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday said it would prosecute a landlord and four other persons for destruction of public property within an Abuja estate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a landlord of House No. 4, Sani Zangon Daura St., off Bala Muhammad Way, Guzape District, Abuja, allegedly commissioned a company to drill a borehole on a walkway.

FCTA Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, who led the operation, frowned at level of destruction of public property by developers and landlords.

Galadima warned that the FCTA would not hesitate to use relevant laws to prosecute violators.

Reacting to the development, he said the residents woke up to find some people drilling borehole on their road. They drilled the borehole on the pedestrian walkway; in fact my heart is pained.

This is a serious damage to the environment. Definitely we are going to prosecute him. That is why we are in liaison with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other relevant agencies to prosecute the offenders.

This is damaging public property. This is vandalism. This is an opportunity for me to warn other developers that we will not accept this from any developer.

Galadima said that the FCTA would resist any attempt by any developer to use pedestrian walkway to drill borehole.

You have your property and you must obtain approval before you can drill borehole wherever it is going to be.

It was a concerned citizen that drew our attention to this. We will not allow this. We will continue monitoring developments in Abuja, even during weekends, he said.

On his part, AEPBs Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, Malam Kaka Bello, said the board would corroborate with FTCA to prosecute the alleged culprit.

Also, the Chief Engineer in charge of Guzape area, Mr Aliyu Ahmed lamented the rate at which boreholes were being drilled indiscriminately in the area.

The issue of drilling of boreholes on our walkway has been rampant. There are many boreholes sunk around this area alone.

We are going to lock up all the illegal boreholes. Drilling borehole on the road corridor is illegal. You can drill borehole inside your compound but the outside of your compound doesnt belong to you.

A staff of the drilling firm handling the project, Davita Drill Tech, Mr Solomon Donald, told journalists that they started the drilling since Sunday.

He, however, could not ascertain whether there was a permit from the authorities to drill since the owner of the house could not be reached.

NAN reports that FCTA authorities apprehended Donald and three of his colleagues, including a gateman for further questioning. (NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George/Ella Anokam

The Nigeria Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reiterated its position on the removal of fuel subsidy, saying such move will free the countrys economy from bondage.

Dr Orji-Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary, NEITI made this assertion on Tuesday in Abuja at the stakeholders National Extractive Dialogue (NED) 2022 on how to make natural resource benefits work for all.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders dialogue was co-hosted by NEITI and Space for Change (S4C), a Civil Society Organisation and supported by Ford Foundation.

Orji said that the agency would soon release a research policy advisory on the cost of fuel subsidy to the country, and that the publication would outline facts and figures to reinforce NEITIs position on the subsidy removal.

He said that the removal of fuel subsidy would free the countrys economy from bondage, benefit the poor majority and possibly hurt the few affluent who were currently rich in the subsidy transactions.

He said that the dialogue was important because the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) 2019 required implementing countries, including Nigeria to disclose any transaction including licensing that were granted and amended.

It will also requires disclosing the terms and conditions for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas, or minerals from January 2021, the executive secretary said.

He said that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 also mandated Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to publish the texts of any new license, lease or contract, or amendment immediately following the granting or signing of such texts.

In June 2021, Nigeria was appointed the Chair of the EITI global network on contract transparency. The network which I chair is tasked with the development of a framework for contract disclosures.

The network has 20 EITI implementing countries, including Nigeria as members. I am pleased to report that NEITI is currently coordinating the efforts to deliver on these important tasks and ensure that the provisions of PIA regarding contract disclosures are activated.

Specifically, an inter-agencies committee on contract transparency in the extractive sector has been set up and NEITI is serving as its secretariat. The overall goal is to enable governments, companies, civil society and communities to evaluate the energy industry.

These are aimed at proffering evidence-based policy recommendations for the efficient management of natural resource benefits and the transition from fossil fuel to a renewable energy regime with these countries as case studies, he stressed.

Orji urged the governments of developing countries to pay attention to energy transition; EITI advocacy for contract transparency, just and equitable resource allocation.

He said this was in view of the linkage between these issues with poverty reduction, job creation, peace and security in any society.

Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) said that the theme for the dialogue dwelt on the central role that NNPC was expected to play in the economic resources of the country.

According to him, the extractive industry, especially the oil and gas is very important to countries, particularly the developing ones where there is huge reliance on incomes derived from the extractive industry for national development.

Kyari, represented by Mr Chris Akamairo, Group General Manager, Governance, Risk and Compliance, NNPC, said that natural resources from extractive industries were only beneficial when being extracted in a responsible and cost effective manner.

He added that the revenues accruing from these activities were promptly remitted to government coffers for the benefits of the citizenry.

In the past, opaqueness of the oil and gas industry operations in Nigeria has contributed to low performance both in terms of profitability and contribution to the economy.

Thus, the call for action by stakeholders on the need for a more transparent and accountable industry is in order, Kyari said.

Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, the Executive Director, S4C said that through the dialogue, the stakeholders would assess the policy, regulatory and institutional progress being made in the sub-region especially within Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

She said that the gathering would be made to assess improvement in the contract transparency, benefit sharing, energy transition as well as the inclusion of host communities in the processes.

Industry stakeholders in the sub-region countries will learn from each other, finding solutions to common problems and identifying best and inclusive practices for improving the resilience of national economies in the face of increasing commodity price volatility around the world.

She said Nigeria had clamored for reforms, especially in the oil and gas as well as the mining industry, adding that the country was currently witnessing some of the legal reforms people clamored for. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, said the BVAS functioned optimally in 94 per cent of the polling units it observed during the Ekiti governorship election.

The Director-General of the CSO, Dr Nwambu Gabriel in a post-election statement on the election on Tuesday in Abuja, said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were properly deployed.

Gabriel commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the election.

According to him, INEC accredited a reputable CSO and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as observer groups which the Centre was part of.

He said that as an INEC accredited observer that monitored the election, the Centre could state that elections actually held across the 2,445 Polling Units of Ekiti.

Gabriel said that the Centre observed the distribution of sensitive materials from the INEC state office in Ado Ekiti to the Local Government Areas, then to the RAC centres and then to the polling units.

The election commenced between 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. across the state and the BVAS technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94 per cent of areas visited.

Malfunctioning of the BVAS technology was observed in six per cent of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them, with election continuing almost immediately.

INEC is commended for initiating the latest amendments in the electoral act and the introduction of the BVAS technology backed by law which has made the electorate vote count.

This has increased the populace belief and trust in our electoral system.

Gabriel said that the performance of the BVAS technology improved significantly from what was observed in Anambra governorship election.

He said the Centre observed that there were pockets of vote buying, especially in Ado and Oyeh.

David said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on ground and the operatives arrested some persons allegedly believed to be buying votes in one of the locations.

Now, this is not enough fact to prove that the entire process was marred by vote buying as this was observed in pockets of polling units visited.

The Centre observed a significant reduction in the snatching of ballot boxes, this could be largely attributed to the latest amendments of the Electoral Act 2022, he said

Gabriel said that the deployment of about 17,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Police and 9,000 members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and other security agencies no doubt aided in the reduction of electoral related violence.

He, however, said that security agents had been alleged to be complaisant in vote buying in some instances.

According to him, the Ekiti governorship election as observed is one of the most transparent elections in the history of Nigeria as the processes are consistent with the relevant electoral laws.

Therefore, we can unequivocally state that the election was free, transparent and in tandem with the law.

The APC candidate who emerged winner of the election having polled 187,057 against his closest rival the SDP candidate who scored 82,211 voters, while the PDP candidate scored 67,457 votes.

Gabriel said that consequently, those who lost in the election had been advised to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the candidate that won.

He also commended Yiaga Africa and the media for the collaboration in enhancing the viewing portals of INEC for the wider reach of all Nigerians online and real time. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Tosin Kolade

No fewer than 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, according to the newly released 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM) III Report.

This is the thrust at the inauguration of the 2021 WASH-NORM III Report in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, said slow progress being made in improving water and sanitation services was due to population expansion, low commitments from states and impact of COVID-19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WASH-NORM is an annual national assessment of the status of water, sanitation and hygiene services aimed at covering the data gaps in the sector.

Its primary objective is to provide data on WASH indicators to meet the needs of policy makers for better planning.

Quoting the report, the minister said poorest households were 48 times more likely to practice open defecation than the richest households.

First, the report presents encouraging news about the WASH targets in Nigeria, though with mixed bag of trends that calls for deep introspection.

The results show clearly that access to basic water supply services is available to 67 per cent of the population, at 92 per cent access levels, the richest households are twice more likely to use, basic water supply services than the poorest households with 46 per cent.

Disparities also exist between urban areas and rural areas, the most common sources of drinking water recorded by households were boreholes/tubewells, and only 11 per cent of the household population use pipe-borne water.

About a quarter of the population still depend on unimproved and surface water supply for their daily water needs, access to sanitation indicators across the country shows a slight improvement, though open defecation is still prevalent.

Evidently, 23 per cent of the population (48 million people) still defecate in the open. People in rural areas (31 per cent) are four times more likely to practice open defecation than those living in urban areas.

The minister said states must continue to complement the efforts of the Federal Government as it cannot be business as usual.

He said instances could be drawn to how the national government had made huge investment in the water and sanitation sector with reports of vandalism and poor operation and maintenance by the states.

He said the entire WASH sector might not be able to meet the sustainable development goals without a concerted effort by the states to commensurate with the efforts made at the federal level.

So what we are trying to do now, also we have changed our strategy a little bit, using the FCT as a model, and to make it more advocacy-based.

But we have two states that are coming and working as seriously towards ending open defecation, I will like to really celebrate them when that happens.

Ms. Jane Bevan, the UNICEF Chief of WASH, said the survey had re-empahsised the challenges and gaps between current levels of access to WASH services and the goals set out in the National Open defecation-free road map.

WASHNORM findings showed that only 16 out of the 28 state urban water utilities are fully functional, while only eight per cent of urban water utility consumers are metered at the time of the survey.

Open defecation remains a challenge in the country with data from the WASHNORM 2021 survey showing that as many as 48 million Nigerians practise open defecation, representing 23 per cent of the population.

In spite of the efforts by government and partners at ending open defecation, the rapidly growing population is dwarfing the gains made so far, the outbreak of COVID-19 was an opportunity for increased effort in hygiene promotion.

Bevan said achievement of results at scale would make significant difference in the WASH sector and move the country towards achieving SDG six.

She however commended efforts of the ministry in scaling up access to WASH, calling for sustainability of current strategies and ensure functionality of all WASH schemes.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr Semiu Adeniran said the inauguration of the report was an important milestone in the National Bureau of Statistics statistical production strategy.

He said this was geared towards meeting the needs of policy and decision makers, development partners, researchers and the wider public.

WASH is an integral part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda which seeks to end extreme poverty in all its forms. Safe WASH is crucial to human health and well-being.

It is not only a prerequisite to health, but contributes to the attainment of better livelihoods, school attendance and human dignity, and also, helps to create healthy environments for communities.

Adeniran noted that the report which was the third in the series of national assessments of the status of WASH Services with the first edition launched in 2018, gave reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date WASH data to inform strategic decision-making and address critical gaps in the sector.

He said the vast amount of data collected under the survey would be used for strategic and efficient allocation of resources, as well as for developing and implementing well-targeted policies and programs.

NAN recalls that the WASH-NORM is a collaborative effort between the National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the UNICEF (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Editted by AbdulFatai Beki/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An NGO, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, on Tuesday said it was ready to empower 370 poor widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and environs with different skills.

The NGOs President and Founder, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, made this known at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja ahead of this years International Widows Day.

Ahmadu said that the windows would be trained in weaving of traditional attires (Aso-oke), bag making, soup making, potatoes flour making and snacks, among others.

She expressed optimism that the training would make the beneficiaries become self-reliant and economically stable.

Ahmadu said that the training was designed to commemorate this years International Widows Day with the theme: Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence.

She said that the widows would be trained for financial independence and economically stability in line with the United Nations goals.

Ahmadu said that it was the tradition of the foundation to on every June 23 commemorate the International Widows Day,by organising trainings for widows and orphans in the FCT and environs.

These trainings will also enable them to overcome typical problems in developing countries, including poverty, violence, social stigmatisation, health and cultural challenges.

In the course of the programmme, there will also be situational reports on effectiveness of previous poverty alleviation programmes undertaken by the foundation.

These will include testimonies from the beneficiaries of the past trainings, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Asije/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo/Emmanuel Oloniruha

Youths in the FCT defied torrential rainfall on Tuesday to register for voter cards at the open air Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the on-going open air Permanent Voter Cards registration was organised by the INEC, the European Union and civil society organisations.

NAN also reports that the open air PVC registration was part of activities preceding the Youth Vote Count 2.0 Mega Concert to hold on June 25 at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

Miss Rosemary Okereke, a youth who spoke with NAN commended the initiative.

What actually brought me here is to transfer my PVC from my state to Abuja to enable me to vote.

The organisers really tried; they did their best; it is just that the crowd outnumbered them initially.

Most of us got the information on Twitter, so my advice for other people out there is that this is real.

Mr Sor Orduen, a youth, also told NAN that the process was hectic.

It is worth the effort, so what I am telling youths is to get the voter card.

I am very sure with this, we can change the government to the one that will favour us, he said.

Miss Sandra Edeh, a youth corps member commended the organisers for the initiative to help youths to collect the PVCs.

Earlier, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for FCT, Yahaya Bello, said the commission deployed more than 50 registration machines and 150 personnel for the exercise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office (DMO), says it is more profitable for Nigerians to invest their monies in the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) savings bonds than saving in banks.

Patience Oniha, the Director-General of DMO said this on Tuesday in Ibadan at the FGN Securities Issuance awareness programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awareness programme was jointly organised by DMO and the stockbroking firm of the FG, CSL Stockbrokers Limited.

Oniha, represented by Mr Monday Usiade, the Director, Market Development Department of the DMO, urged Nigerians to embrace investment in the various FGN Securities to enhance their earnings.

Saving is a culture we must all imbibe, and the FGN savings bond has come to help Nigerians save.

The driving force is to encourage us to save in a secure environment. The Federal Government cannot default on a loan in its own currency, she said.

The director-general said that the various FGN securities, like the Treasury Bills, FGN Bond, FGN Savings Bond, Euro Bond, Green Bond and Sovereign Sukuk, were already competing with the banks.

There is the need to challenge the banks to improve on their service delivery, she said.

According to her, the FGN savings bond is specifically designed for retail investors, and to encourage financial inclusion.

She said that government borrowing was not necessarily a problem, provided the borrowings were invested on infrastructure development and investment in the productive sector of the economy.

Earlier, Mr Fortune Ibe from CSL Stockbrokers Limited, said that the investment in FGN Securities was an additional way for Nigerians to make money.

Ibe said that the objective of the programme was to create awareness among retail investors.

The Federal Government is telling Nigerians that they can borrow their money for infrastructure and they will get interest rate on it.

The interest rates on FGN securities is higher than what the banks will give you.

With as little as N5,000, Nigerians can now invest in FGN savings bond. It is an avenue through which the government raises funds to develop infrastructure.

It also contributes to the development of the financial market, attracts foreign investors into the financial market and enhances savings and investment opportunities of the populace, he said.

NAN reports that some respondents at the programme expressed satisfaction at the various incentives and investment opportunities provided by the FGN Securities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Sunday John

Sen. Umaru Al-Makura (APC- Nasarawa ) says the choice of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the best for Nigeria at this time given his pedigree.

Al-Makura who is a member of the Think-Tank of Tinubu for President, stated this at a meeting with various support groups from Nasarawa State for the candidate on Tuesday in Lafia.

According to the former governor, Tinubu is a soldier of democracy who alongside other patriots fought for democracy at a most risky period.

He added that the APC presidential candidate had transformed Lagos State as its governor from 1999 to 2007 to what it is now.

Tinubu will perform the magic he did to ensure law and order which transformed Lagos State if elected in 2023.

He has paid his dues to ensure democratic government in the country and it is the right to elect such a person as the president.

Tinubu is a man of ideas and will roll out ideas and assemble a strong team that would tackle the insecurity and economic problems facing the country if elected in 2023 Al-Makura added.

The former governor also lauded the delegates from the state who voted for Tinubu during the recent convention of the party in Abuja.

Al-Makura said that the campaign organisation of Tinubu is ready to partner every group to ensure a land slide victory for their candidate in the state.

Also speaking, Silas Agara, a member of the campaign organisation said delegates from Nasarawa State had made them proud at the convention.

The former Deputy governor of Nasarawa State, assured that the state would work to ensure victory for Tinubu and all APC candidates in the upcoming general elections.

Agara appealed to supporters of all other presidential aspirants to join hands and support Tinubu as the convention had come and gone.

Yusuf Omaki, Nasarawa State Coordinator, Tinubu Support Groups, lauded all the delegates as well as individuals and groups from the state for their support so far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1,000 bags of 10kg rice were distributed to different groups to celebrate the victory of their candidate at the convention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Sen. Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former APC Governorship Candidate in Edo, as a formidable leader as he clocks 60.

Tinubu in a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Tuesday in Lagos, also described Ize-Iyamu as a true progressive and grassroots politician.

The APC presidential candidate said, Today, I join the family, friends and associates to congratulate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as he attains 60.

He has made important contributions to Edo State and Nigeria as he has done to our party, the All Progressives Congress.

One of the founders of APC, Pastor Ize-Iyamu was Vice-Chairman of that important Constitution Drafting Committee that worked on the ground norm of APC at inception, he said.

Tinubu said that Ize-Iyamu remains active, steadfast and continues to contribute meaningfully to the party, even after losing as the APC governorship candidate in the 2020 Edo election.

He added that Ize-Iyamu had helped to organise a free, fair, transparent and credible presidential primaries as Co-Chairman of the Election Management Committee of the National Convention.

Tinubu, therefore, congratulated Ize-Iyamu on his accomplishments at 60 while wishing him many more years of robust health.

I wish Pastor Ize-Iyamu increased wisdom and Gods grace as he continues to impact lives in Edo and Nigeria, Tinubu said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Modupe Adeloyel/Olawunmi Ashafa/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Maureen Okon

The President of the Council of the European Union (EU) in Nigeria, Mrs Emmanuelle Blatmann, says the EU Presidency is committed to promoting multilateralism and renewed relations with Nigeria and other EUs partners.

Blatmann, who is also the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, said this at the handing-over ceremony of the Councils Presidency to the Czech Republic on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidency which is currently, as of January held by France, will end on June 30.

Three successive presidencies of the Council are known as presidency trios. The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months.

The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period.

The current trio (20222023) is made up of France (January June 2022), Czech Republic (July December 2022) and Sweden (JanuaryJuly 2023).

According to Blatmann, the countries form atrio of presidencies with shared priorities which are protecting citizens and freedoms, especially the respect and protection of European values.

To strengthening the Schengen area and our common asylum and migration policy; promoting a European growth and investment model based on green and sustainable growth.

The strengthening of European industrial and digital sovereignty; to promoting multilateralism and renewed relations with Europespartners, she said.

The ambassador said that regarding the French Presidency, Id like to recall our three priorities: a more powerful union, provided with a defence policy and capable of guaranteeing stability and prosperity in its neighborhood.

A new European growth model aimed at innovation, ecological and digital transitions; and a rrtore nutria Il Union, promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, youth and, above all, democracy and the rule of law.

In this regard, a key moment of our presidency was the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe, with proposals on how the EU should change based on citizens ideas and recommendations.

Many young citizens took part in this consultation this year, which is the European Year of Youth, she said.

Responding, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mr Zdenk Kreji, said that the Unions unity was not one of an authoritarian unanimity, but a unity in diversity of a multi-voice debate.

The envoy said that in 1996, the then President of Czech, Vclav Havel, considered their continent as Charlemagne Prize ceremonial, that he stressed the tasks ahead of Europe deserve careful and thorough reflection.

According to him, in the then international context, particularly favourable to Western democracies, Havel called on Europeans to rediscover their conscience and to take responsibility for global environmental, social and economic challenges.

He did not want Europe to reclaim the position of a Global Head of Orchestra and to impose its cultural values on the rest of the world. What he had in mind was rather inspiring and leading by example.

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has completely overhauled the geopolitical situation on our continent, while demonstrating that the European Union is able to respond decisively.

The events of the last weeks and months have shown, perhaps to the surprise of many external observers, that Europeans in a crisis triggered by an external threat are able to act very quickly, effectively and in a united way.

Our culture of political dialogue and consensus-building that we have been forging for decades proves to be strength rather than a weakness of the European project.

At the same time, European unity is not one of an authoritarian unanimity, but a unity in diversity of a multi-voice debate, which, however, is driven, by our common values, towards consensus, he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News