By Ginika Okoye

The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it is ready to help Nigeria return to the electronic wallet system of input distribution to farmers to boost agricultural production.

The President of AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said this on Monday, at a meeting with newsmen ahead of the Banks 2022 Annual Meetings in Accra, Ghana.

The e-wallet system was introduced by Adesina, while he was the Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria.

The system allowed the government to register about 14.5 million farmers and reached them directly with inputs, notably seeds and fertilisers, via electronic coupons on their mobile phones.

He said the Bank would support Nigeria with about 30 million dollars reallocated fund to be used for an emergency food plan to produce in the dry season.

Nigeria needs to go back and use the electronic wallet system that I developed when I was a minister to get fertilisers straight to farmers and cut out all the middle men.

We are going to help the government to do that because when farmers have quality seeds and fertilisers, they can rapidly triple food production, he said.

According to him, Nigeria will also benefit significantly from the African Emergency Food Production Plan.

In Nigeria, we have provided 540 million dollars for special agro-industrial processing zones in seven states including the Federal Capital Territory.

That will allow Nigeria to have special zones where you can have agro processing value addition and increased competitiveness of agriculture.

We are not alone, we put in 170 million dollars and others put in money such as the Islamic Development Bank and other partners, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meetings is Fostering Climate Resilience and a Just Energy Transition for Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Edith Nwapi

Justice Yusuf Halilu of an FCT High Court on Monday convicted a former lawmaker Chuma Nzeribe of forgery.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)arraigned Nzeribe on four counts of false pretence, impersonation, forgery and cheating.

The EFCCalleged that the lawmaker forged the documents of plot 1306, Cadestral zone, Maitama District belonging toIshaya Baba.

Delivering judgment, Halilu held that the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

I hereby convict the said Chuma Nzeribe having found him guilty as charged.

From the abundant evidence before me, it has been established that the defendant forged the title document to the said land 1306 Maitama which rightfully now belongs to Ishaya Baba.

By the powers confined in me therefore, pursuant to section 11 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Act, 78 of penal code, 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which dwelt on the issue of restitution.

I hereby so restitute to the said land owner to take his land forthwith without any delay since is the rightful owner.

With respect to the issue of sentencing, I shall defer the sentence of the said convict to a date in this life when I am sure the long arms of the law will catch up with him.

Then, the EFCC, IGP will arrest him and bring him before me for me to be able to do the needful by sentencing him accordingly.

In the main time, sentencing in this situation is thereby deferred he held.

EFCC had alleged that the defendant was in possession of statutory right of occupancy bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03.

The anti graft agency said this is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

EFCC alleged also that being a false document is contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.

EFCC also alleged that the defendant cheated by impersonation, representing himself to Alhassan.

This, EFCC said was contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

The National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) said on Monday in Abuja that it has the capacity and partnership to address stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV.

Dr Yinka Falola-Anoemuah, a Deputy Director in NACA, said this during a meeting organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in collaboration with NACA themed: Nigeria HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination law, the journey so far, at the twitter space.

She said NACA would partner with institutions including National Human Rights Commission, law enforcement agencies, ministries of ministry of education and women affairs to advance the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Falola-Anoemuah who is the Deputy Director, Lead Gender, Human Right and Care Services, NACA, said the institutions were properly equipped to partner NACA in dealing with issues around stigma and discrimination.

NACA also has a multi-institutional platform for work place policies around HIV, which also addresses stigma and discrimination within the work place, she said.

The deputy director blamed persistence of discrimination on ignorance about HIV/AIDS.

Falola-Anoemuah, therefore, called for closer collaboration among all relevant stakeholders to enforce the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Ms Kemi Gbadamosi, Director, Advocacy, Policy and Marketing, AHF-Africa, urged the Federal Government to enforce the HIV anti-discrimination law to uphold the dignity and rights of persons living with HIV.

In 2014 Nigeria enacted the Anti-discrimination law to end stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS.

Gbadamosi said it was unfortunate that with the discovery of antiretroviral drugs, a segment of the society no longer consider HIV as a life-threatening health challenge.

However, new cases of infection are still recorded especially among the younger generation who are still faced with stigma and discrimination both at school and in their communities, she said.

The director said there was the need to increase awareness on the rights of persons living with HIV through the media as well as engaging the grassroots.

Mr Michael Okoh, Programme Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) said the Network in 2021 conducted HIV stigma and discrimination survey with over 1,240 respondents.

Okoh said the survey was conducted in 16 states of the federation, including the FCT where about 1 in 4 respondents saying their status was disclosed without their consent.

This, the respondents, said made them to encounter different levels of stigma and discrimination at their work places and homes.

Mr Rommy Mom, President Lawyers Alert, said that not much has been achieved in regards to the implementation and enforcement of HIV anti-discrimination law in the country.

Mom said the office of the Attorney General of the Federation could do more to in ensuring that the law is enforced.

Lack of enforcement of the law has been a motivation for people and institutions to stigmatise persons living with HIV.

Both the public and private institutions are violating the laws because consequences are not meted out on violators.

Laws are therefore not the issue, but the enforcement, issues exist and that is why the laws are passed, he said.

Mr Steve Aborisade, Manager, Advocacy and Marketing, AHF, called for increased advocacy on stigma and discrimination among the public and institutions through the media.

He said AHF would continue to partner with other stakeholders to advance the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS in the country.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

Disturbed by the activities of terrorists and bandits in some parts of the country, the Nigeria Police Force has resolved to deploy modern and best technology to put an end to the menace of the criminals.

It has also resolved to use high tech to win the war on insurgency and terrorism in the country.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, stated this when he tackled issues on Nigerias security challenges.

He said this during the presidential briefing organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja.

According to Dingyadi, policing is no longer about the use of sophisticated weapons like AK 47 and other security gadgets but deployment of high technology and techniques to achieve the desired goal of safeguarding lives and property of citizens.

He said: I like the fact that you have drawn attention to the fact that policing strategy now is no longer about having motorcades, AK 47 and other security gadgets. And that what is required now is high tech to win the war on insurgency or whatever youre fighting.

That is the way to go. And we are moving in that direction. But, you know, the police is a civil institution and were not even emphasizing these arms and ammunition.

What we are emphasizing is to ensure that, as civilians, as we are, we try to ensure that issues are resolved without having to use firearms or anything.

And with the support of the community, with the support of Nigerians, the police dont need to use firearms but well have them and were having them in case there is a need to use them.

What is most important is the technology like you said and we are paying special attention to this. And we know the whole world is going in that direction and this administration is not unmindful of that direction and were trying to pursue to ensure that policing is technology-driven.

We will make sure that the police in this country have the best technology to fight these criminalities. So please support us in whatever we do, we are out there for you, and the police are always ready and willing to support whoever needs our support. In the same vein, we also need your support.

Dingyadi, accompanied by top government officials from his ministry, also gave insight on key updates from the Presidential Roadmap on Police Reform, innovative strides currently being executed in the Nigeria Police.

He equally stressed the impact the implementation of police reforms would have on internal security in Nigeria while enumerating the efforts being made toward the welfare of police officers.

You will recall that the Ministry of Police Affairs was established on the 21st of August 2019 by Mr President to, among other things, give attention to re-equipping and re-tooling the police, remodel policing infrastructure via the government community policing initiative and promote commitment to duty through the improvement of welfare for our policemen and women in this country.

The minister, who spoke extensively on police welfare and barracks renovation, maintained that they could not work effectively in an unhealthy environment.

According to him, the Police Trust Fund and the Police Force Headquarters are now paying special attention to the renovation and construction of new barracks for the police.

Yes, the police cannot work effectively in that environment. We are paying special attention to the renovation of these barracks and police formations.

You have to have a very serene environment for the police to perform.

So, we are aware of this and we are giving it the needed attention that it deserves. I believe were already aware. We have never had it as good as were having it today.

I want to assure you that the Police Trust Fund and the Police Force Headquarters are now paying special attention to the renovation and construction of new barracks for the police.

Right now, I am driving a memo in the council which came out last week. And were trying to sort out a few issues with the Abuja Development Control towards ensuring that we provide befitting accommodation for our police officers.

So, we are on this and I want to assure you that we will give it the due attention that it deserves so that we will have the support and understanding of our police who are using these dilapidated structures all over the country.

On the State of Nigerian Internal Security, the minister stated that the Boko Haram insurgents, who launched brutal campaign against innocent and harmless citizens in the Northeast zone since 2009 had been dislodged.

He, however, admitted that the terror group, out of frustration, had been engaging in hit and run guerrilla tactics.

It has been established that certain security threats are associated with some geopolitical corridors. The Northeast, for instance, has a history of Boko Haram campaigns against harmless citizens since 2009.

These terrorists subsequently formed alliances with the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) which unleashed destructive terrorist activities on the zone.

However, a fierce military might with the police support has degraded the terrorist capability and dislodged them from their hitherto strong base in the Northeast.

They are now going back into the cocoons, engaging in hit and run guerrilla tactics, he added.

According to Dingyadi, some affiliated groups of the Boko Haram and ISWAP now synergises with bandits operating in the northwest and the parts of North Central.

He said: In the Northwest, the onslaught on Boko Haram and its affiliated group in the northeast, despite desperate survival attempts, now synergises with bandits operating in the northwest and the parts of North Central, particularly the middle region.

This ugly trend is currently receiving commensurate attention with the deployment of operational assets to neutralize the menace.

The minister noted that in the South-East, security came under severe threat following violent attacks on security formations and civilians by militant Biafrans separatist groups.

According to him, sustained security operations in this region, have in recent times localised their operations to Imo and Anambra, while the government continues to employ strategies to engender peace and security in the entire Southeast.

The minister noted that, unlike the southeast, the South-South zone was relatively free from violent criminalities.

However, the isolated cases of kidnap for ransom and armed robbery have been dealt with by the police and other security agencies.

A special task force against oil theft set up by the Inspector General of Police is operating in the zone to check illegal bunkering and other related economic sabotage.

Security in the Southwest is similar to that of the south-south.

He observed that the incidents of oil theft in the zone had also been reduced to the barest minimum.

On the Police Trust Fund bill signed into law by the President on June 21, 2019, Dingyadi stated that the fund has successfully delivered on its 2020 and 2021 budgets, purchasing operational vehicles, arms and ammunition, bulletproof vests and helmets for police operations.

The minister revealed that the fund also purchased medical items to meet the health needs of policemen nationwide, while in addition, accommodation for the police has also received a facelift.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sept. 16, 2020 signed the Nigerian police Bill 2020, which repealed the obsolete police laws of the Federation 2004.

The Federal government also approved the setting up of a police reform technical team in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to coordinate efforts geared towards achieving this lofty aim.

The minister also noted that a lot has been achieved by the four police premier training colleges in Maiduguri, Kaduna, Lagos, and Enugu.

According to him, an upward review of recruitment procedures and training curricula in these institutions is also under consideration, saying that development of promotion and leadership courses at all levels of these institutions are also being reviewed by the technical committee.

Overall, the presidential police reform team will in due course harmonize submissions so that we have a similar committee at the most senior level to involve 21st century and nimble-footed in the policing architecture in Nigeria, he said.

Also speaking on the newly approved enhanced emolument for the police personnel, Dingyadi maintained that this gesture had further underscored the governments commitment to entrenching welfare being a key component of police reforms under the Buhari administration.

According to him, all the necessary computations to guide the payment of the new salary package have been completed and forwarded to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning for implementation, which is expected to commence very soon.

He also announced that his ministry had obtained approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the concession of the moribund National Public Security Communication System.

The system was installed in all states of the Federation, except Borno by the previous administration, due to security challenges at that time.

This initiative is aimed at reviving this project, due to its critical importance in the security architecture of the country. When fully operational, happenings in all parts of the country will be monitored in real-time on the command and control centre for proactive policing and prompt response to situations.

Efforts are currently ongoing by the concessionaire, that is NPS technology to revive this project.

The concessionaire has taken over the facilities and is currently pursuing the issuance of universal access service license from the National Communications Commission to commence full-scale operation.

He added that the ministry also secured the federal executive councils approval for the police specialised automation project meant to block financial leakages, deepen accountability and mitigate funding gaps for policing in Nigeria.

It is envisaged that in the medium and long term period, the project will deliver economic benefits and improved efficiencies for the police, he said.

The minister stated that his ministry was collaborating with some foreign countries to acquire surveillance equipment to address security challenges in trouble spots across the country.

Yes, were not doing it alone. Particularly, we are relating a lot to China. As youre aware, the CCTV cameras are financed through loans from Nexim Bank of China.

Presently, we are procuring so much equipment from China and many other countries.

We are relating to ensure that we have the best equipment from these countries that we think we can relate with.

So, we are relating with several countries and organizations some of them come to us directly to extend their support to us.

The police are for everybody. And I think we are aware of this and that is why we are extending our hands of fellowship to China and other countries so that together we build the police of pride for Nigerians.

On community policing, the minister disclosed that 25,000 constabularies have so far been trained for the programme across the 36 states of the federation.

The programme is on course and is in all the 36 states of the Federation, and these constabularies have been posted to their various communities. And like I said, in my presentation, to do a lot of policing activities in those areas, and to add to the visibility of police in those communities.

The responsibility of the communities in which these constabularies are being posted is to cooperate with these constabularies to ensure that they assist them in sharing intelligence, in reporting cases that need to be reported, and to assist them in resolving issues that can be easily or locally resolved.

So the community policing programme is there for the communities to ensure that they collaborate with these constabularies to provide peace in their communities.

The minister also revealed that 20,000 Constables out of the 40,000 approved by President Buhari, had so far been recruited into the Nigeria Police Force.

You will recall that Mr President had directed us to recruit 40,000 Constables within his second tenure.

So far we have recruited 20,000, and we are on the third trench of this recruitment. And I think in the next one month or two, we will be concluding the third trench and we will be having about 30,000 constables on our payroll.

On the call forpsychiatric evaluation for the police personnel, Dingyadi said:

Talking about the psychological test and other tests that you are talking about, I want to assure you that we are busy taking every possible measure to ensure that we conduct thorough examinations, and very extensive screening, including medical tests to ensure that those we are recruiting are not coming just into any job.

We are recruiting the best of hands to ensure that we support the principle of good policing in the country, he said.

The minister also disclosed that the police were doing their best to safeguard and protect school children across the country.

He said: The government has delegated this responsibility to the state governments to select schools that they think require security and I think many states endeavoured to do that.

Wherever there is a need for your security in schools, the police are there, assisting other security agencies to ensure the security of our children and for the staff of these institutions.

We are there and I believe if you dont see us in schools, it means the government does not want police in those schools. Because we can only operate in places where there is a need for our service. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigerias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.11 per cent in the first quarter of 2022.

This is according to the NBS Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report Q1 2022 released in Abuja on Monday.

According to the report, Nigerias GDP grew by 3.11 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter of 2022.

It said this showed a sustained positive growth for six consecutive quarters since the recession witnessed in 2020 when negative growth rates were recorded in quarter two and three of 2020.

The NBS said the first quarter 2022 growth rate further represents an improvement in economic performance.

The observed trend since Q4 of 2020 is an indication of a gradual economic stability.

The Q1 of 2022 growth rate was higher than the 0.51 per cent growth rate recorded in Q1 of 2021 by 2.60 per cent points and lower than 3.98 per cent recorded in Q4 of 2021 by 0.88 per cent points.

Nevertheless, quarter-on-quarter, real GDP grew at -14.66 per cent in Q1 of 2022, compared to Q4 of 2021, reflecting a lower economic activity than the preceding quarter.

The report said in the period under review, aggregate GDP stood at about N45.317 million in nominal terms.

This performance is higher when compared to the first quarter of 2021 which recorded aggregate GDP of about N40.014 million, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth rate of 13.25 per cent.

It said the nominal GDP growth rate in Q1 2022 was higher relative to the 12.25 per cent growth recorded in Q1 2021, and higher compared to the 13.11 per cent growth recorded in the preceding quarter. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), says more than 8,000 candidates have been shortlisted for interview for its Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for Masters and PhD award.

Alhaji Bello Mustapha, Head, Overseas Scholarship Scheme Division, PTDF made this known on Monday in Abuja at the opening of selection interview for shortlisted candidates for the 2022/2023 academic session.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PTDF under its strategic direction provides scholarships to Masters and PhD degree applicants in partnership with universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China and Malaysia.

PTDF sponsors students/awardees in all major disciplines related to oil and gas and energy industries, including engineering, geosciences, environmental studies, computing and management.

Mustapha said the selection interview was a continuation process which began in Dec. 20, 2021, through publications in some national newspapers inviting qualified Nigerians nationwide to apply.

Mustapha said under the 2022/2023 academic session, it advertised the scholarship and called for application and more than 26,000 people applied, while over 8,000 were selected for interview.

He said the PTDF OSS was an annual programme which began in 2000, aimed at providing Nigerian students with the intellectual foundation and skills needed to participate actively in Nigerias oil and gas industry.

We conduct the interviews in the six geopolitical zones of the country but presently we are doing in five geo- geopolitical zones of the country this year because of the issues of insecurity in the southeast.

So, we are using Ibadan, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kaduna while South East candidates are asked to choose any convenient centre from other zones.

It will run for three weeks in Abuja, then two weeks in the other centres apart from Bauchi. Bauchi will run for one week because we do not have many candidates in Bauchi centre, he said.

He said the final selection would depend on its budgetary allocation.

According to Mustapha, the scholarship is running based on the availability of funds which determines the final selection.

Mustapha, while describing the interview as one of the criteria for the scholarship, said that at the end, the best performing candidates would be chosen as concession would be given to candidates from oil producing states.

He said the fund had sponsored many Nigerians over the years and some of them had returned to the country and were contributing to the economy.

Some of them are working in Shell, NNPC Ltd., we have a lot of scholars and panelists that have proven themselves, some are even in the universities and academic environment contributing optimally from what they have studied abroad.

We have 18 universities that we have strategic partnerships with in UK, and we have in Germany, Malaysia, France and China.

We are not using China this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic issues.

They are beginning with the September session, he said.

Few of the candidates who spoke to NAN expressed joy for being shortlisted in the scholarship scheme, while expressing optimism for the final selection.

Nafisat Adamu said she graduated with B.Sc. Economics and Developmental Studies, but expressed the hope to read Energy, Oil Gas Economics in her masters degree if selected.

Another candidate who chose to remain anonymous expressed delight and promised to put whatever experience garnered outside into practice in Nigeria.

PTDF is saddled with the responsibility of building capacities, technological manpower in the oil and gas industry in line with the requirements of the mandate of the establishment.

The overseas scholarship scheme is one of the flagship programme of the organisation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Adenike Ayodele

An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Monday sentenced a dismisses policeman, Mohammed Alidu, to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old school girl in a barrack

Justice Abiola Soladoye,in her judgment, held that Alidu was a disgrace to the police because he failed to uphold law and order and went about frolicking with an underage girl.

Soladoye held that the prosecution had convincingly proved the charge of defilement against the convict beyond any reasonable doubt.

She said the survivors evidence was fully corroborated by the medical evidence.

The evidence of the survivor is the most credible evidence in identifying the perpetrator.

The vivid and oral testimony of the survivor satisfies the court that prosecution has proved every inch of the ingredients.

He is a disgrace to the entire Police because he failed to uphold law and order as hewent on a frolic of his own by engaging in a bizarre and irresponsible behaviour turning the barracks into a sex den.

It is most chilling. The defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without the option of fine.

He should have his name entered in the Sex Offenders Register of the Lagos State Government, the judge held.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four witnesses testified against Alidu in the trial.

According to the prosecutionteam, Mr Olusola Soneye, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke and Ms Abimbola Abolade,Alidu committed the offence on June 29, 2018 on Makinde Police Barracks Road, Mafoluku, Oshodi.

The prosecution said that Alidu grabbed the survivor into a wooden house on her way to school and defiled her.

They submitted that the defendant was apprehended after the survivor reported the case at the police station.

The prosecutors said the defendant confessed to defiling the survivor, blaming it on the devil but later denied it as an after thought.

NAN reports that the prosecutors said the offence contravened Sections 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (NAN) www.nannews.ng

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has announced the death of MrDonald Awunah, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and former Force Public Relations Officer.

A statement by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer on Monday in Abuja said the late AIG died in the early hours of Monday.

He said lateAwunah, until his death at Garki Hospital after a brief illness was the AIGin charge of Zone 16, Yenagoa in Bayelsa.

Adejobi described the late AIG as an eminent communicator, ardent officer and member of the National Institute.

He said the deceased whohailed from Benue wasa dedicated officer with great passion for training and development.

Adejobi said late Awunah, also a former Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, was enlisted into the force on March 15, 1988.

He said the I-G had condoled with the family, relatives, course mates and friends of the deceased who passed away in active service. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, on Monday urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to work toward the improvement of domestic leagues in the country.

Dare made the call when he hosted the U-20 mens national team, the Flying Eagles in Abuja, following their victory at the WAFU B zone championship in Niamey, Niger Republic.

The minister said the performance showed the commitment of the board of the NFF toward improving the game of football in the country.

Dare said: I want you to maintain the same level of discipline on all sides.

The future of football is in the hands of these young ones and we must do all to ensure it remains the same.

One way is to ensure that is the rebirth of our leagues and give it the quality it desires.

This is the only way we can have players who will go on to play for Super Eagles as well as top clubs in Europe.

We will continue to work and support you where necessary and I must say that I am proud of what you have done, the minister said.

Mr Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of NFF, lauded the minister for his commitment to the growth of the game.

In a meeting the minister once had with the NFF board, he challenged us to ensure that we focus on other teams as well alongside the Super Eagles.

That challenge has been in our minds and that is what we have seen today in the Flying Eagles team.

The team left days earlier to Niger Republic ahead of the event and participated in friendly matches, which helped them acclimatise and better prepared for the tournament.

This team has worked hard and I am happy to present them to you and Nigerians, Sanusi added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria emerged champions of the seven-team tournament and have qualified for the 2023 U-20 African Championship in Egypt. (NAN)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Kaigama

Thousands of youths in Bauchi, under the umbrella of Rescue Nigeria Mission (RENMISS), have declared their support for Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, as the countrys next president in 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths marched from Gida Dubu area to Maiduguri Bye- Pass, carrying inscriptions indicating their support for Bello.

Mr Aliyu Baital, leader of one of the groups, told the supporters at the rally on Saturday that Bello was a very courageous, young, vibrant leader that could rule Nigeria.

It is time to forget old ways of playing politics and show that a youthful president can create a Nigeria of everyones dream.

We have worked with many leaders and assessed many across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Bello stands out, Baital said.

He said the rally was a way to express their confidence in his leadership qualities ahead of the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress slated for later this month.

Mrs Lydia Yusuf, a Bello supporter , said the rally was to appeal to APC delegates to vote for Bello during the partys primary election.

She said the youths, comprising male and female, wanted to urge APC delegates to choose Yahaya Bello as the country\s next president.

He has done so much in Kogi as the governor and we want him to become the President of Nigeria in 2023 so that he will use his experience to tackle the numerous problems confronting the nation.

We are appealing to the delegates to vote for him in the forthcoming APC primary election, he said.

Also speaking, Mr Alhamdu Solomon, said that Bello as a youth was aware of the problems confronting Nigeria and had the solutions.

I am urging all citizens of the country to join us in supporting Bellos 2023 presidential ambition, Solomon said.

He urged the youth to rally round Bello for purposeful leadership come 2023. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Source: NAN News