By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Vickie Irabor, on Friday, distributed food items and cash to widows of fallen heroes and an orphanage home in the spirit of Ramadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the widows received the items at DEPOWA secretariat, Mrs Irabor led her team to Christ Treasure Orphanage Home in Kwali, Abuja.

Items distributed include bags of rice, beans, garri, cartons of noodles, packs of spaghetti, tubers of yams, bags of millets, beverages and toiletries as well as cash.

The DEPOWA president and wife of the Chief of Defence Staff said the Ramadan outreach and humanitarian gesture was aimed at complementing the non-kinetic operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

She said the women were dear to her heart, assuring them that military and the Nation would always cherish the memories of their late husbands who paid the supreme price in defence of Nigeria.

Irabor commended the widows for their resilience in keeping the home front in the absence of their husbands and urged them to remain strong in the task of bringing up their children.

She pledged the continuous support of DEPOWA and the armed forces.

At the orphanage home, Mrs Irabor lauded the commitment of the management of the orphanage for taking care of the children and promised continuous support.

She urged the children to remain worthy ambassadors as their future would be greater.

Responding on behalf of the home, Mrs Queen Abraham thanked DEPOWA President for the benevolence in meeting the immediate needs of the orphanage.

Abraham promised that the items would be judiciously used amd prayed for the DEPOWA President and other members of the association for identifying with the orphanage home. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Nigerias Super Falcons have South Africa as their Group C rivals in the 2022 Womens Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as well as Botswana and Burundi.

They were drawn in the same group at the official draw ceremony held at the Complex Mohamed VI in Rabat, Morocco on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Group A of the women football competition billed for July in Morocco has the hosts, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda.

Group B has Cameroon, Zambia, Tunisia and Togo.

NAN reports that it is the firsttime 12 teams will be participating in the tournament with Togo, Burundi, Burkina Faso and Botswana as debutants.

The tourney kicks off in Rabat on July 2 with the final match to be played on July 23. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Commandant, Army War College of Nigeria (AWCN), Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, has led participants of the institutions Course 6/2022 on a two-day tour of strategic military establishments in Abuja.

The College Public Relations Officer, Maj. Muhammed Maidawa, in a statement on Friday said that the tour was part of the course.

Maidawa said the tour commenced with a visit to the Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Centre and then to the Nigerian Army Operations Centre, as well as the Navy and Air Force Headquarters.

He said the team also visited the Defence Space Administration (DSA), Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria and Defence Research and Development Bureau.

According to him, the tour essentially provided the participants an insight into the workings of the military establishments.

Maidawa said the tour had 73 participants of the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel and their equivalent from the navy and the air force, as well as from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He disclosed that some of the course participants were from the Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Liberia and Rwanda. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has commenced capacity building in universities across the six geo-political zones of the country to improve insurance education and facilitate penetration in schools.

Mr Sunday Thomas, the Commissioner for Insurance, said this in Abuja on Thursday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Uyo.

The commissioner said that the move was to educate more people on insurance and its policies.

Thomas said that the Commission had visited some universities and polytechnics in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South East, South-West and South-South to assist the schools insurance department financially.

He said the Commission was currently assisting and building capacities of people in the insurance departments of six universities across the zones.

According to him, the assistance is applied to support tertiary institutions in the areas of construction of administrative and vocational offices and sponsorship of insurance department accreditation.

Others are the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, scholarship for Masters and Doctorate degrees, provision of text books and journals on insurance and sponsorship of professorial endowment.

Thomas said that institutions offering insurance and actuarial science at degree or National Diploma levels, owned by federal and state governments and had existing infrastructure, staff and department with insurance education were considered.

The value is the linkage that is created in human capital development which cannot be quantified.

This is a knowledge based sector, we realised that as the days go by, vulnerability increases and in which case, we need to develop products that will meet the needs of the populace and we need creative ideas.

We need those who are cerebral to be able to reach out there and package products and of course the starting point is to get the knowledge, he said.

Earlier, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, commended NAICOM for the kind gesture, saying it would boost insurance programme in the university.

Ndaeyo said the construction of classroom blocks and offices in the university would aid easy learning process.

They have also trained our staff and the coming of the building will provide offices for staff and classrooms for us.

We will ensure that we maintain the quality, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAICOM had financially assisted no fewer than 10 universities between 2013 and 2020 to promote insurance education. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government says it will start a disaster risk information awareness to inform the public on the consequences of illegal oil bunkering.

This is contained in a statement on Friday in Abuja by Ms Nneka Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.

Umar-Farouq made this known when a Federal Government delegation visited Imo to commiserate with the government on the explosion, which occurred at Abaezi forest, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was an explosion at a forest in the Abaezi community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo on April 23 and it claimed many lives including property.

The minister was represented by Mr Alhassan Nuhu, the Director, Reliefs and Rehabilitation in the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

According to her, government will implement risk strategies to create awareness on the consequences of illegal crude oil refining among the locals.

She called on traditional rulers, religious heads and community leaders to advocate against illicit bunkering of oil in the communities.

Our visit today is to condole with the good people of Imo and also access the extent of the disaster to ascertain the volume of relief to be provided for the victims for the purpose of assisting them to build back better.

We shall provide the necessary disaster risk information and assessments as well as implement risk strategies to create awareness on the consequences of illegal crude oil refining to the local communities.

I implore community leaders, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups to join hands with NEMA to serve as watchdogs and continuously advocate the safe use of refinery facilities in their communities.

Umar-Farouq said this was to protect lives, property and the environment, adding that it was obvious that disaster risk management was first a local and collective endeavour before it becomes national.

We also call on security agencies to collaborate with the regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector to nip this ugly trend in the bud.

Earlier, Dr Princess Ibrahim, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said that most of the people who lost their lives in the explosion were farmers and hunters.

Ibrahim said: It will be wrong to assume that all who died were illegal oil miners. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

In a bid to boost operational efficiency through intelligence gathering, the Nigerian Army has continued to train its personnel on indigenous language proficiency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 124 personnel comprising 39 officers and 85 soldiers, graduated from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) 9th Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 9/2022 on Friday in Abuja.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, represented by the Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. Usman Muhammed, said the nature of the current security environment was characterised by plethora of challenges requiring military attention.

Yahaya said that all army operations were intelligence driven, adding that their ability to surmount the security challenge would largely be dependent on intelligence gathering.

He said effective intelligence gathering could be facilitated by understanding of the local languages by the personnel involved in the operations.

The COAS expressed optimism that the course would be of immense benefit to the participants and the Nigerian army considering the changing nature of the nations domestic security environment.

According to him, there is no gainsaying that the nations security environment is undermined by the current threats, which include among others things, terrorism banditry and other challenges in virtually all parts of the country.

He said the army would continue to redouble its efforts with a view to stemming the menace of insecurity and guaranteeing peaceful co-existence in all parts of the nation.

According to him, the current domestic security reality has necessitated the deployment of the Nigerian army troops to the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Suffice to say that all these operations are intelligence driven.

Therefore, our ability to adequately and professionally respond to these domestic security challenges will depend essentially on credible and reliable intelligence, which is dependent on the ability to communicate with the local population.

The populace is being encouraged with the slogan, see something, say something which depends on the ability of personnel to communicate with people within the operational area.

Effective communication in part, will essentially require some level of proficiency in the local dialect of the operating environment.

This informs why you have learnt the three major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Proficiency in these local languages will, therefore, hasten your speedy integration and ability to penetrate local operating environments, he said.

Yahaya urged the graduating officers to continue to use every available opportunity to improve their current proficiency level to be able to engage in sustained conversations within their places of employment.

The Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was designed to bridge the communication barriers between army personnel and the local populace in the conduct of internal security operations.

Wahab said that officers and soldiers were currently being deployed to different parts of the country, adding that there was the belief that there was problem with intelligence gathering.

He said that security was a two way thing which involved securing you through you and the need to trust those who are providing the security for them.

According to him, if you cannot talk to people, if you cannot relate with them in the language they understand, they wont trust you.

The belief is that speaking somebodys language is going to inspire trust immediately, because of the belief that this is my person.

And thats the reason why the army challenged the centre to run this programme, he said.

Wahab said the feedback from the previous courses had been encouraging, adding that plans were on ground to open up the course to the general public.

The Training Officer, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Nuhu, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC), said the language course would help the army to address security challenges.

He urged personnel who would pass through the resource centre to continue to practice their proficiency in the languages they had been trained on to enable them to be perfect.

The Course Senior, Col. Muhammed Ahmad thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to learn and understand other languages to enhance their operational effectiveness.

Ahmad, who spoke on behalf of other participants pledged to justify the training by deploying the knowledge acquired in their various areas of responsibilities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

A former President of the Senate, Sen. Ken Nnamani, on Friday, formally declared his interest in the 2023 presidential race on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nnanani, while making the declaration in Abuja, called for reduction in the nomination fees for elective offices.

He also urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set rules to regulate the cost of nomination fees and campaign expenses.

Nnamani enjoined Nigerians across all strata to get massively involved in partisan politics so as to influence reduction in the cost of electioneering.

My view is that we should work towards reducing the cost of nomination fees for political offices so that we can create an inclusive environment for our dynamic youths and women who may not have access to much wealth.

I believe that high cost of election does not align with our socio-economic realities in terms of per capita income and purchasing power of Nigerians.

Ultimately, the pressure for drastic reduction in nomination fees will come when citizens and groups begin to play more active roles in demanding for, and presenting, credible and capable persons for elective offices, he said.

He added that the nomination fees being charged by political parties for elective offices needed to be reviewed in order to improve the inclusion of youths, women and most Nigerians earning salaries in a distressed economy.

Maybe it is time INEC lays down guidelines to political parties on the costs of nomination forms and campaign expenses, he said.

Nnamani said that he would back such regulatory control that would improve the fiscal responsibility and inclusive politics in Nigeria.

On his presidential ambition, the former senate president said that he would improve on President Muhammadu Buharis legacies of integrity and performance, if elected.

My pedigree as President of the Senate and Chairman of Presidential Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reform shows beyond doubt that I am that man for the job now.

We will all agree that President Buhari met enormous challenges.

In spite of the challenges we face, we have to acknowledge that the presidents patriotism has manifests in the unshaken belief that Nigeria will move past the current problems and setbacks, he said.

Nnamani called on Nigerians, particularly members of the ruling APC,to adopt the spirit of courage and patriotism, as exemplified by the president, to tackle the countrys challenges.

It is at a time like this that we need a man of tested integrity and competence to mobilise Nigerians to overcome these tough challenges, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a brilliant 2-1 win away at West Ham United in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

Bundesliga colleagues RB Leipzig also fought to a 1-0 home win over Rangers.

Daichi Kamada nudged the winner for Eintracht Frankfurt early in the second half to the delight of the 3,000 fans who backed the Eagles in London.

And they will be dreaming of a trip to Seville for the May 18 final if they can survive next weeks home leg.

But they will also be aware they can take nothing for granted against West Ham.

The hosts cancelled Ansgar Knauffs first minute opener through Michail Antonio before the break and also hit the woodwork three times.

The last was a thumping overhead kick off the bar from Jarrod Bowen in injury-time.

RB Leipzig in contrast dominated throughout against Rangers but struggled to create chances against the defensive Scottish champions.

Christopher Nkunku somehow failed to add to his 30 season goals when he rounded goalkeeper Allan McGregor only to blaze off-target.

But Angelinos superb 85th minute volley finally made the breakthrough.

We can thank Angelino for this super shot, teammate Benjamin Henrichs said, while the goalscorer said we have deserved the victory.

An all-Bundesliga final could be possible in the competition for the first time since 1980 when Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Borussia Mnchengladbach on away goals.

The second leg to come in Glasgow, however, remains finely balanced with the fact that away goals are no longer in force from this season.

Eintracht Frankfurt fell in their last Europa League semi-final in London, losing to Chelsea in 2019.

But Knauffs back-post header in just 49 seconds gave them the lead.

Antonio bundled in a free-kick to level and West Ham had a period of control before Eintracht Frankfurt regained the initiative.

A lovely move saw Djibril Sows shot saved only for Kamada to walk onto the rebound and an empty net.

Today wasnt one of our best performances, Antonio said. Its two legs. Well go there and put in the work and you never know.

Its all to play for. Were in it to win it.

Another game to go. No matter where we go we believe we can beat anybody.

Sad Benrahma curled a wonderful long-shot onto the post and Bowen beat goalkeeper Kevin Trapp at the death only for his magnificent overhead kick to rattle the woodwork.

But Eintracht Frankfurt survived for another famous victory after they eliminated FC Barcelone last time.

In between, Kamada had his own shot deflected onto the post as Eintracht Frankfurt looked to kill the tie.

We have a very good starting position, Trapp said. There were a lot of positive emotions.

RB Leipzig enjoyed 75 percent possession in the first half against Rangers but managed just four shots and McGregor did not have a save to make.

That changed after the break but Rangers looked to have held on until a corner-kick fell for Angelino five minutes from time.

The full-back volleyed sweetly into the corner from the edge of the penalty box.

And RB Leipzig, who are also in the German Cup final, will feel confident at moving closer to the potential maiden title in their history.

It means Rangers will have to attack more at home.

We just wanted to stay compact and make it hard for them to get through us, Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo said.

Its all about concentration and hard work, thats what we did out there. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Cristiano Ronaldo scored an excellent equaliser to spare Manchester United a third successive English Premier League defeat as they drew 1-1 at home with Chelsea on Thursday.

Ralf Rangnicks side lost their previous two games to Liverpool and Arsenal by an aggregate score of 7-1.

But while the performance on their return to Old Trafford was by no means impressive, they at least avoided another loss.

In spite of a dismal first-half showing in which their midfield was routinely cut open, Manchester United somehow made it until the break without conceding.

But Chelseas deserved breakthrough did arrive via Marcos Alonso with an hour played.

However, Ronaldo - who has been responsible for five of their six Premier League goals this month - swiftly restored parity against the run of play.

Thomas Tuchels men thereafter failed to regain the lead.

Chelsea dominated the first half almost from start to finish, with a brief moment of Manchester United pressure culminating in Ronaldo putting a close-range bicycle-kick over.

Otherwise, Manchester United had to rely on wasteful Chelsea finishing and David de Gea to keep the scoreline level.

The Spaniard crucially blocked Kai Havertzs goal-bound effort with his midriff after the Blues carved through the hosts with ease.

Manchester United needed to win all of their final four matches to better the 64 points they managed in 2013/2014.

This has been the fewest they have ever recorded in the Premier League.

But Thursdays stalemate means 64 is now the best they can do this term.

Given everything that has occurred in 2021/2022, few would bank on them winning their final three matches.

A new record-low points total would be fitting for what has been a dreadful season at Old Trafford. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

The Federal Government, on Thursday, condoled with the government and people of Imo over the bunkering site inferno, which led to the death of no fewer than 110 people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal governments condolences was conveyed by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, in Owerri during an assessment visit to the scene of the explosion.

Umar-Farouq, represented by Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Alhassan Nuhu,said that the federalgovernment would assist the victims of the disaster with relief materials after assessing its impact.

The minister, who described the incident as preventable, cautioned against illegal activities to avert future occurrence.

She called on operators of the refinery to approach appropriate authorities to seek legal means of refining crude oil.

She also called on stakeholders and security agencies to collaborate with the regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector to nip the ugly trend in the bud.

This visit is to condole with Imo people and assess the extent of damage, so as to ascertain the volume of relief for the victims.

We call for increased collaboration with NEMA and security agencies to crackdown on illegal refineries and oil bunkering activities, the minister said.

Also speaking, Gov. Hope Uzodimma decried illegal bunkering activities in the area, saying that the incident affected both human and aquatic lives.

The governor,represented by Commissioner for Petroleum Resources,Mr Goodluck Opiah, decried what he called the neglect of social responsibilities byoil companies toward their host communities.

He said that his administration had made efforts to stop illegal bunkering in the area, adding that the incident wasa disaster waiting to explode.

Uzodimma thankedthe federal government for showing concern, even as he urged the minister and her team to help with relief materials that would cushion the effects of the disaster. (NAN)

Source: NAN News