By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to partner with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, on disaster management in the country.

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General, NEMA, gave the assurance when the Vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, led a delegation to visit the agency in Abuja on Thursday.

Ahmed said that the agency had recognised the need to partner with the academia to take disaster risk management to the public, as such, it had existing collaboration with various academic institutions.

He said that the use of the ivory towers to build a well informed and better resilient Nigerian citizens could not be over-emphasised.

I want to assure you that as disaster managers and humanitarian actors, we are not going to relent in our efforts to build that critical mass of Nigerians that are well informed.

And better prepared to face up the ever growing disaster challenges not only here in Nigeria but across the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt taught us the hard and bitter lesson that every nation is vulnerable, no one is safe until everyone is safe.

I assure you that this visit will herald the beginning of a sustainable partnership between NEMA and Nasarawa State University, he said.

The vice-chancellor, represented by Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, said the aim of the visit was to commend the director-general for his commitment to further strengthen their existing partnership.

Mohammed appreciated the agency and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency for donating an Automatic Weather Observation Station to the institution earlier in the year.

He, however, requested for an assistance in the establishment of a Centre for Disaster Risk Management Studies and an ambulance vehicle in the institution.

He added that these would further build capacities of stakeholders in disasters management and enhance service delivery in the health sector of the institution.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

CLEEN Foundation, an NGO, says it has concluded arrangements to conduct security threats assessment across all the local government areas in Ekiti.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Executive Director of the foundation, Ruth Olofin, in Abuja ahead of the governorship election in the state slated for June 18.

Olofin said that the security assessment would focus on thematic issues in the election, adding that the findings would be used to engage stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Others are the police, political parties, civil society organisations, youth and women groups.

She said that the foundation would train and deploy observers across all the LGAs in Ekiti to enable them to provide real-time reports on election activities with focus on the conduct of security agencies.

She said that the observers would utilise the CLEEN Mobile App to collect data and transmit same to the organizations Election Security Support Centre (ESSC).

Olofin called on all actors and critical stakeholders to abide by the rules and regulations set by INEC and security agencies, led by the police.

She also urged all registered voters who had collected their PVCs in Ekiti to massively exercise their franchise for a credible leader to emerge.

Ahead of the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti, CLEEN Foundation is implementing block of interventions for the peaceful outcomes of the election.

The foundation is set to deploy the revised Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool it developed in collaboration with the INEC Electoral Institute for the conduct of security threats assessment across LGAs in Ekiti.

The foundation will host election and security experts to analyse developments in Ekiti that feed into the development of preliminary and post-election statements on CLEEN Foundations observations during the election.

Incidences reported from our citizens observers will be verified and distributed to appropriate government institutions, including the INEC, Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force for necessary actions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured that the planned removal of shops attachments at Karu village in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) will not affect indigenous houses.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of Karu Gbagyi Development Association Abuja on Friday.

Attah explained that the objective of the planned demolition was to shift some shops attachments and other illegal structures under electric high tension and close to road shoulder a bit backward.

The ministers aide said that the FCT Administration was a partner with the indigenous people and communities, adding that the administration was grateful with the cooperation and support of the indigenous community.

We are grateful that all indigenous communities have given us enough cooperation to build this city and we must be internally grateful.

We are not mindful of the fact that we should treat the indigenes very special not because other Nigerians are not special but because of the fact that we met indigenes at the point of exist from Lagos to Abuja.

This made them very special privileged among the leagues of other ethnic nationalities and communities within the FCT.

What we have discussed over the issue and further engagement to go and check will be carried out. I want to assure the chief that we will not go for the operation until we have concluded all engagements.

Indigenous houses will not be affected; you can go to sleep with that. What we want to do is to shift the shops attachment and others a little backward, he said.

Attah, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that the operation was carried out successfully.

Earlier, Chief Yunana Bawa, the Sarkin Yaki (Bhazhe) Karu Abuja, commended the FCTA for initiating the idea to sanitise the area of illegal shops and attachments.

We are very happy the way you have accepted and cooperated with us that we have some basic places that must go and there are other ancestors places that we will look all at together.

So that our own side will not be hurt and nobody will be hurt.

So I want to say well done for the exercise. We have been hearing about flood and if not with the help of the FCTA, as human being sometimes we are very stubborn.

What the administration will do will help us and save our lives because some people will go and build by the rivers side and block the water side.

When rain falls it will be a disaster. So I want to also commend the government for initiating the demolition so that people will be put in their toes to avoid infractions.

Also, the Chairman, Gbagyi Development Association Abuja, Mr Dangana Jimiko, said the recent removal of attachments and illegal structures at Karu market is a blessing to us because we have been battling with those structures for more than three years.

As you, know the market people need force and the sanity of that place now has really helped us. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the creation of 268 districts and village areas, two chiefdoms and the restoration of three chiefdoms in the state.

The governor who also approved the grading of five other chiefdoms, made the announcement in a statement by his spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham on Thursday in Jos .

The breakdown of the 268 Districts per local government areas are : Barkin Ladi 17, Bassa 19; Bokkos 17, Jos East 10, Jos North 15, Jos South 14 Kanam 20 and Kanke 11.

Others are Langtang North 16, Langtang South 7, Mangu 22, Mikang 10, Pankshin 23, Quaan Pan 16, Riyom 12, Shendam 22 and Wase 17.

According to the statement, the restored chiefdoms are Da-Gwom Rwei, Barkin Ladi, Da-Gwom Rwei (Gyel) Jos South Local Government and Da-Gwom Rwei (Riyom) Riyom Local Government.

Those that have been graded are Gwom Rwei Kabong Jos North Local Government, Gwom Rwei Zawan Jos South Local Government, Ponzhi Bwarat Langtang North Local Government, Ponzhi Gani (Sa) and Ponzhi Tumwat Langtang North Local Government.

Lalong also approved the grading of old existing district heads to senior Ddstrict heads.

The governor gave the approval following the review of the report on the creation of chiefdoms, districts and village areas in the state, constituted on Oct. 20, 2020.

Macham said that details of the names of the new districts and village areas would be released by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The governor urges the citizens to see this development as part of the efforts by his rescue administration to increase inclusivity, unity, peace, harmony and development.

He advises against politicisation of the action and warns against any attempt by some persons to use it for creating acrimony division and disaffection.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished over 30 houses which it described as illegal at Trademore Estate, Lugbe, in an attempt to prevent incessant flooding in the area.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, who led the operation under the auspices of the FCT Ministerial Taskforce Team, revealed that over 100 illegal houses would be affected.

This is an ongoing removal of illegal structures on the flood plain at the Trademore Estate, Lugbe, along Airport Road. This estate has been a theatre of flooding, very intensive flooding here and we have been engaging them for years.

And they have come to terms that this area is very dangerous to their lives and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has asked us to remove all illegal structures on the flood plain.

There has been excessive development on the flood plain in Trademore Estate, Lugbe, by some persons and these is very worrisome. All the houses that are going down were marked and some have been marked three years ago.

Attah explained that some of the affected structures were marked at foundation, window and roofing levels, adding that the final marking was about four days ago.

He added that And we gave them 48 hours and even gave them additional 24 hours. For now, 30 houses are going but over 100 were marked, but we are still engaging critical stakeholders around there.

After removing the first 30 houses, we will engage them to look at how we can use land solution act to find solution.

Like what some of them are saying that the Developer of Trademore Estate should be charged to court , they have the locus standi to take him to court.

The ministers aide reiterated that the FCT Administration would not compensate anyone because there was no building plan, no approval, no allocation on the flood plain.

We are not going to give any compensation because there was no building approval, he sated.

Reacting to the development, Sadat Bankole, who has been leaving in that area for over 10 years, said if the demolition would save and prevent further loss of lives, then she was in support.

What has been happening here is not palatable . Why is flooding constant in this area in the last few years. My view is that if peoples lives are involved then demolition should take place so that the place would be free from flooding.

My first experience of flooding here was about seven years ago and then it stopped, but in the last three years there has been constant flooding every time it rains. When the rain starts you cannot come out and you cannot come in, she said.

She called for the prosecution of the developer of Trademore Estate, for flood diversion, alleging that there was a diversion of the flood plain.

She said, I was informed where the developer built houses are the routes of the water and the water was diverted.

The person who diverted the flow of water should be asked questions and be sanctioned. The developer must be asked questions, why is the developer walking free.

He should be prosecuted. There was a time I had to sleep outside. The bridge was just constructed.

Also, Mr Ike Emmanuel, a resident in the area urged the government to force the developer to accept responsibility for loss of lives and selling water plain to Nigerians. (NAN)

SSI/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authourity (NMDPRA), says it will partner Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream to ensure effective regulation and standards in the downstream oil and gas industry.

The Authourity Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, said this when the Advisory Board of OTL, led by Dr Mumuni Dagazau, paid him a visit on Thursday in Abuja.

We can collaborate on information sharing, from your source, from our source, but it has to be credible, it has to be very transparent, so that anybody who wants to invest in the industry or in the sector, can see the projections based on the factual numbers.

The industry needs very strict corporate governance, that is what we are lacking. Every player thinks he is indispensable and that is why we are having some problems regarding distribution of petroleum products.

Of course they have their own reasons. With due regards they are in the business to make money, they are also in the business to put regulations in place but when the consumer is being taken advantage of for whatever reason, it is not acceptable.

So I agree with you that strong regulations and corporate governance is neccesary in order to have confidence in the industry, Ahmed said.

On the forthcoming OTL Africa Downstream annual event, Ahmed assured that the authourity would take advantage of it and ensure its presence.

Ahmed said: We are always ready to collaborate with stakeholders but we must be mindful of the fact that we are regulators.

We will look at your propositions and add where we can latch in because we need to also support our own internal capacities like the OTL.

Earlier, Dagazau, who represented the OTL board chairman, Mr Tunji Oyebanji, called for partnership between the OTL and the Authority, adding that their collaboration would benefit both parties.

He said: OTL over the years, has a collosal amount of data through its relationships and associations both local and international.

We want to capitalise on that in supporting NMDPRA. One of the things paramount in restructuring any organisation is access to Information and ability to get the right data to apply your thinking processes properly.

What we are offering is an opportunity to leaverage in what we have to support what you have been doing and give value back to Nigeria and the international market.

According to Dagazau, OTL will provide a network that can enable the authority disseminate information to a wide range of organisations in a faster way.

Meanwhile, Dr Emeka Akabogu, Founder, OTL Africa Downstream, said OTL had transited to a repository for industry information for the purpose of advancing business, operations and policy.

He said the Authority has strategic role within the context of the Nigerian midsteam and downstream industry and was positioned by virtue of the PIA to be exceptional.

So we see that as an opportunity for OTL and the Authority because we are able to offer the Authority a unique interface with multi sectorial industry interests as opposed to dealing with individual operators in the range of sub sectors which make up the industry, because almost everybody is represented under the OTL umbrella.

We will be very glad to work with the Authority to ensure that the right policy initiatives are put out regularly.

We want to collaborate with the Authority to ensure competition is effectively regulated, ensuring that the right standards are in place and a whole range of areas which propel the industry are explored.

We are looking essentially for a strategic collaboration on a long term basis to drive this relationship, he explained.

According to Akabogu, OTL basically seeks
to be a strategic partner in ensuring the right standards for the industry are in place from operational and policy perspectives.

We also want you to partake directly and physically in the flagship event which we put together for the industry annually which is the OTL African Downstream Week. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

A team from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on Thursday visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, on facility inspection and preparation toward conversion of the hospital to Federal University Lokoja Teaching Hospital.

In her remarks, the leader of the team, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, Director Hospital Services, FMoH, Abuja, said that the team was in Lokoja on behalf of the Minister of state for Health, Sen. Olorunibe Mamora, to inspect the hospital facilities.

According to her, the objective of our visit is to come and see what you have on ground that will match the proposal for the transition from the Federal Medical Centre to a teaching hospital.

She explained that there were criteria for approval and final recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari would come from the office of the Minister of state for Health, who is the supervising minister.

She noted that in the team are the technical officers, the foot soldiers in the ministry, who would ensure that due diligence is carried out.

I am glad to be part of history that FMC Lokoja is being transformed to a federal teaching hospital.

I am quite impressed with the profile of the hospital but there are still lots of work to do.

So, please dont rest on your oars because we want to go back to Abuja to beat our chest that yes, FMC Lokoja deserves to be called a Teaching Hospital.

She congratulated the FMC management for being able to overcome the challenges encountered when the hospital was locked down for more than six months.

Earlier, the Medical Director, FMC Lokoja, Dr Olatunde Alabi, made a presentation on the history, structure, outlook and the current state of the hospital in terms of infrastructure, management, staff strength, successes and challenges.

In his presentation, he said that the FMC Lokoja was established in 1999 and it had been serving as the major tertiary federal health institution in Kogi and its neighbouring states.

He disclosed that inadequate manpower remained one of the main challenges facing the hospital due to brain drain anf retirement, among others.

The medical director conducted the team round the hospital facilities, assuring them that the board of management and the entire staff of the hospital were fully prepared.

He explained that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had also come for inspection, stressing that the board of management and the entire staff of the hospital were fully ready.

We are fully ready, the training of medical personnel is not new to FMC Lokoja and we have also been training resident doctors for years, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Thursday on condolence visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Buhari will meet with the new President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to convey his condolences on the passing of the former president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Presidents spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the presidential aide, the Nigerian leader will also extend his congratulations to the new President, renewing bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.

The president, in an earlier congratulatory message to the new UAE leader, had reaffirmed Nigerias cordial relationship with the country.

He noted that the cooperation between both governments have helped Nigeria in tracking down illegal assets and tracing terrorist funds.

According to Buhari, under the new leadership, he looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability and prosperity of both countries.

The president will be accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello,and the Minister of Aviation,Sen. Hadi Sirika.

Other members of his delegation are the National Security Adviser, retired Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai.

The President is expected back in the country on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Khalifa died on May 13 at the age of 73

He was president of the UAE since 2004.

Abu Dhabi, which holds most of the Gulf states oil wealth, has held the presidency since the founding of the UAE federation by Sheikh Khalifas father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1971. (

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

The Federal Government through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI) has called for solution-based research proposals that address socio-economic problems of the country.

Dr Muhammed Dahiru, Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event was tagged: Launch of Call for Research and Development Proposals for Delta-2 Programme.

He said the launch was simultaneously hosted by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) with at least eight other participating countries.

Dahiru said it was the first part of the project procedure scheduled on TA CR Delta 2 Programme for bilateral cooperation in applied research and technology transfer for agriculture, mining and general manufacturing.

Research and development (R

By Olatunde Ajayi

Mastercard and OPay have announced an interconnected global payment ecosystem partnership to boost digital commerce to people across Middle East and Africa (MEA).

In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Mastercard, MEA, said the aim was to grow a wider financial inclusions.

Ajmal said the collaboration would enable OPay consumers and merchants in Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa, Pakistan, Algeria and UAE engage in businesses anywhere in the world.

Ajmal said that the partnership was the latest milestone in Mastercards emerging market strategy.

At Mastercard, our innovation strategy is rooted in partnerships to support inclusion at scale.

Our partnership with OPay demonstrates our commitment to supporting payments providers across the world and to create an interconnectivity that benefits an array of consumers with unique needs.

In the initial phase of the partnership, OPay customers will benefit from the Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to their OPay wallets, to shop at well-known global brands for leisure, travel, accommodation and more.

The service is available regardless of whether or not the customer has a bank account.

It also allows small business owners to purchase from suppliers abroad and pay with the secure virtual payment solution, she said.

Yahui Zhou, Chief Executive Officer of OPay, said the firm, a leading fintech in the Middle East and Africa, OPay, was delighted to partner with Mastercard to promote financial inclusion.

Zhou said the collaboration would help in the opening up the global economy to more consumers and businesses across Middle East, and Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OPays active users have grown to 15 million in dozens of markets in which it operates since its operations started in 2018.

Edited by Joe Idika

Source: NAN News