By Dorcas Jonah

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday pledged continued support for Nigerian women under the umbrella of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS).

The minister made the pledged when the newly elected president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, led a delegation on a visit to him in Abuja.

Akpabio congratulated the newly elected executives and urged Nigerian women to continue praying for the unity and peace of the country.

Your tenure will bring more empowerment to women and also bring a lot of employment opportunities.

As a governor, I used the opportunity to support women and I will continue to use every opportunity to do same.

Even in my current situation, I will continue to support women now and in the future, he said.

Akpabio promised to respond to the request of the NCWS adding that it was necessary to support women since they are our mothers, sisters and wives.

The minister also thanked the Nigerian women for making an Akwa Ibom indigene their first vice president, urging the new exco to work in unity to properly develop the council.

It is an exciting thing that one of our own is now the first vice president, I specially congratulate her and all the other executives members on their election.

I know that you will have serious support from the leaders of Nigeria and you will also have support from Almighty God, he said.

Akpabio said that the ongoing Ramadan fasting was unique since it coincided with the Christian fasting period that just ended.

We give glory to God that the prayers will be able to move Nigeria forward. All we are asking God to do for Nigerians is to grand us peace, peace that pass human understanding, he said.

Earlier, the NCWS president solicited the support of the minister for training of women within the South/South region.

According to her, it will be beneficial if the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs will help in training and empowering 10 women each from the Niger Delta states in skills acquisition.

The council will also appreciate that you make available a slot for NCWS to be in the board as membership of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

We urge you to please always consult with us on issues concerning women in Nigeria, and implore you further to keep your doors open for us each time we come calling.

Source: NAN News

Sumaila Ogbaje

A political and socio-economic group, Fusion 774, has urged the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Yamusa, to prevail on Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Tukur Buratai, to join the 2023 presidential race.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Sadiq Jikta, made the call when he led other members on a visit to the Emir on Tuesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group has been mounting pressure on the Former Chief of Army Staff to declare his interest to run for the highest office in the land.

Jikta, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the group was in the palace to solicit for the emirs fatherly blessings and counsel, since Buratai was a tenant in his domain.

He noted that Buratai performed valiantly as chief of army staff, adding that he led the Nigerian military in reclaiming all the regions previously controlled by Boko Haram terrorists.

He said that the former army chief also instituted reforms and fiscal discipline in the army, leading to improvement in its effectiveness.

The ambassador has, thus far, refused to listen to our call and those of other Nigerians for him to declare, but we feel that your intervention will change that, he said.

Responding, the emir assured the group that he would consider their request and determine the best course of action, even as he prayed for Allahs blessing upon the group.

The royal father expressed gratitude to members of the group for their decision to visit his palace to seek fatherly guidance.

All I can say is that we will consider your request and determine the best course of action. May Allahs blessings be with you all, the emir said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday inaugurated a befitting official accommodation for the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of Army Headquarters Garrison at Mogadishu cantonment in Abuja.

Yahaya said construction of the new edifice was in fulfillment of his resolve to reinforce fragmentation in the Nigerian Army and enhance the welfare of soldiers.

He said the official quarters had been built across 18 commands, divisions, units and formations nationwide in addition to official vehicles that had been given to the RSMs.

The COAS said that RSMs occupied a unique place in the hierarchy and scheme of affairs of the Nigerian army, saying that they were the custodians of the customs and tradition of the army and its units.

According to him, every RSM is the father of his unit because he is the custodian of regimentation, ethics, customs, traditions and history of the army.

He usually has his own office co-located with the commanding officer because issues concerning soldiers administration, particularly their welfare and well-being are channeled through the RSM.

He, together with the retinue of other soldiers, particularly senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and others in that line, maintain also a hierarchy and a chain of command that help them facilitate command and regimentation of the unit and formations.

And as you know, the senior NCOs are very important elements that act as a bridge between officers and soldiers and the RSM is the head of that bridge.

This important office of the RSM also has its own unique privileges and that is what I aim to reestablish building from the work by my predecessors, he said.

Yahaya said he desired that an RSM should also have a befitting accommodation and a vehicle to be able to move around his unit.

He said the gesture was aimed at establishing the pride of place for RSMs as well as improve regimentation through command and control, as well as discipline within the service.

Also speaking, the Commander, AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Kabiru Garba, said the sustenance of troops welfare in peace and war time was vital for a thorough execution of their assigned tasks.

Garba said that the primary motivators like timely payment of salaries, knitting, training and provision of decent accommodation were essential for enhancing the quality of lives of troops.

He said the COAS had since assumption of office taken deliberate and determined steps toward boosting troops morale, enhance their operational effectiveness and improve professionalism in the Nigerian army.

According to him, this is all aimed at realising the COAS vision, which is to have a professional Nigerian army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment in the defence of Nigeria.

He expressed appreciation to the COAS for the initiative to develop and enhance the function of RSMs in the Nigerian army.

Responding, the Garrison RSM, AWO Garba Sani, thanked the COAS for repositioning the fragmentation in the Nigerian army for greater efficiency and professionalism.

Sani also thanked the COAS for providing him and fellow RSMs with befitting accommodations and official vehicles to enhance their functions.

He pledged to continue to give his best in ensuring discipline and professionalism among soldiers under his command in the discharge of those duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official residence of the Garrison RSM is a fully furnished three bedroom bungalow with a standby power generating set, security house and an orderly room. (NAN) (www.nan news.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Doris Esa

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, says Nigeria is the topmost livestock producer in West Africa.

Abubakar said this on Tuesday, at the opening of a two- day summit on National Livestock Transformation Plan, co- organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN) in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is: Positioning the Nigerian Livestock Industry for the 21st Century Economy: A critical look at the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

The minister said the summit was timely as the country was diversifying its economy with agriculture.

This Summit could not have come at a better time than now when the Country is diversifying its economy with Agriculture dominating the non-oil sector as well as recovering from the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the livestock industry, he said.

Abubakar said that the bulk of Nigerian labour force was engaged in various forms of agricultural enterprises, especially along the livestock value chain with over 30 per cent women and young adults depending largely on livestock for their income, livelihoods and sustenance.

Although, information on total production and consumption levels in Nigeria vary significantly depending on the source, the Livestock sector remains a major component of the agricultural economy.

The minister said this played a significant role in the overall national economy.

It accounts for about two to five per cent of the National GDP and 10 per cent of the Agricultural GDP.

Abubakar said that recent estimates showed that the livestock sector was endowed with abundant livestock resources with about 26.4 million cattle, 88.2 million goats, 50.3 million sheep, and 8.9 million pigs.

Also, 465 million chickens, 36.4 million ducks, 3.8 million turkeys, 5.5 million Rabbits, 353,173 camels, and 1,234,284 donkeys (Ministry of Agriculture 2021) thus making the nation the topmost livestock producer in West Africa,

Abubakar said that in spite of this potential, it is estimated that the per capita consumption of animal source foods stands at 8 litres of milk, 9 kg of meat and 3.5 kg or 55 eggs per year.

The minister said these were very low consumption levels when compared with the global averages of 44 litres of milk and 19 kg of meat, respectively.

Consequently, a huge amount is spent on importation of food into the country especially milk and dairy products, he said

He said that the ministry was broadening and deepening collaboration with a wide-range of stakeholders and relevant institutions to address immediate and remote constraints of the livestock sector and to attract increased investments in the sector.

In view of the urgent need to unlock the potential of the livestock industry and fast track its transformation to address the socio-cultural, security and economic challenges currently facing the country.

The ministry is enthused about the potential promises of this summit on National Livestock Transformation Plan and we look forward to the outcome to enhance our interventions and synergy towards successful and speedy transformation of the Livestock sector, he said

The Chairman, Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), Mr John Oba, described the summit as apt.

Oba said the livestock sector was a pillar of the global food system and a contributor to poverty reduction, food security and agricultural development.

We are hoping that this summit will afford us, particularly, players in the Nigerian livestock industry the opportunity to showcase our business to the global community.

This is with a view to attracting investors and also highlight modern and global best practices in livestock management for maximum returns, he said.

The Director, Department of Animal Husbandry Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin, while speaking on the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, said since the launch of the Plan, government and other stakeholders had not relented to make it a success.

In a goodwill message, Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mr Fred Kaferro, said the organisation would continue to provide technical support to government in addressing all aspects of the livestock system.(NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr Dasuki Arabi, has commended the Ministry of Finance for its achievements, which have grown to the Public Financial Management reforms.

Arabi made the commendation on Tuesday at the Bureaus monthly seminar featuring the Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, on the topic Public Financial Management Reforms: Successes, Challenges and Way Forward.

The director-general said that the reforms had contributed significantly to public financial management in Nigeria.

The most decisive factor for effective strategic leadership and coordination of the implementation of all the interventions under this pillar falls on the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, with the concerted efforts of several key Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Public Financial Management, (PFM) refers to the set of laws, rules, systems and processes used by sovereign nations (Federal, States and Local Governments), to mobilise revenue, allocate public funds, undertake public spending, account for funds and audit results, he said.

According to him, PFM reforms mostly prioritise technical approaches to improve the performance of its systems, including through the integration, modernisation and automation of PFM processes, revenue collection, public expenditure management and procurement systems.

There are lots of achievements that accrue to the PFM reforms in recent times that have contributed significantly to public financial management in Nigeria.

Some of the key reforms include the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, Expansion of Treasury Single Account, Coverage, Creation of Asset Tracking and Management Project Debt Management Reforms, Domestic Borrowing Cost, Fiscal Support to States, Budget Reforms and Reforms within the Efficiency Unit .

Replacement of Old Cash-Based Accounting System with an Accruals-Based System, Expansion of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, Taxation/ Pension Reforms, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System and International Public Sector Accounting Standards, he said.

In her speech, the minister, represented by the Mr Ben Akabueze, Director General Budget Office of the Federation, assured the BPSRs that the ministry would continue to adapt to reforms as it enhances the growth and economy of the country.

Ahmed said the Administration was committed to accelerating post-COVID-19 economic recovery through the Nigeria National Development Plan 2021 to 2025

Stimulating inclusive, diversified and sustained economic growth; supporting the private sectors productivity and competitiveness; creating productive employment

By Amen Gajira

Sen. Danjuma Laah (PDP-Kaduna South), has commended Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, a presidential aspirant, for donating N200m to people displaced by lingering violence in the north-western state.

Laah gave the commendation on Tuesday in Kaduna while reacting to the kind gestured by the governor.

According to him, the gesture is the first of its kind for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

He prayed to God to bless and reward the giver and his entire household, and challenged presidential and governorship aspirants to emulate Wike by helping the vulnerable and the less privileged in society.

The lawmaker urged the IDPs and other victims of attacks in Kaduna State to pray for Wike for the show of kindness.

He also urged them to pray for the success of the PDP in the 2023 polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike had made the donation when he visited Kaduna State in continuation of his nationwide search for support toward winning the partys ticket to contest for the nations top seat in 2023. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Nwapi

A panel has issued a warrant of arrest against the Commissioner of Police, Legal Services, Force Headquarters, CP Igbeh Ochogwu, in respect of the alleged unlawful arrest and disappearance of John Alozie since June 25, 2017.

The Independent Investigation Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on Monday is investigating alleged violations of human rights.

The CP was on several occasions ordered to appear before the panel with Alozies case file but he had so far refused to honour the summons.

The panel Chairman, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima, who issued the arrest warrant, described Ochogwus attitude as unbecoming of a lawyer and police officer.

The only option left for the panel is to issue a warrant of arrest on the CP Legal and mandate the National Human Rights Commission to write to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to report Ochogwus conduct in the matter.

The CP has flagrantly and repeatedly disobeyed the order of the panel, having refused to turn in the said case file to enable the panel to unravel the truth about the whereabouts of Alozie in accordance with the law, he said.

Galadima adjourned the petition until Wednesday for progress report.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims wife, Nnnena alleged arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and detention of her husband by the police in a petition marked 2020/IIp-SARS/ABJ/73.

The respondents in the matter are ASP M.Obiozor of the defunct SARS Awkuzu, Anambra; Uzi Emeana; Sunday Okpe, Anambra Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police.

NAN reports that Nnenna in her testimony said that her husbands case was heard in a high court and judgment delivered.

She added that the court ordered that the police should release the victim as well as his property seized.

According to her the police refused to obey the order of the court and that prompted her filing this petition before the panel.

On Dec. 2, 2021, in her testimony, she alleged that six SARS operatives stormed their residence in Lekki, Lagos, on June 15, 2017 and whisked her husband away.

She said that she later got to know that her husband was arrested for his involvement in an alleged kidnapping in the course of searching everywhere for her husband and the reason for his arrest.

Since the day they arrested my husband, I have not seen him and I dont know his whereabouts.

After the SARS operatives arrested my husband, they ransacked our bedroom and went away with some of our personal belongings which include certificates and other documents, money,, a Lexus and a Ford, parked in our house, she said.

NAN reports that on Dec. 15,summoned Ochogu to appear but he failed to do so.

The panel also on March8,ordered Ochogwu to appear before it with the case file of a victim of enforced disappearance, Alozie.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has clarified that it is not re-naming the entire Lagos National Theatre complex, built in 1976 to host the 1977 Festival of Arts, popularly known as FESTAC.

The government clarified that it is merely renaming the complex housing the edifice.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the complex housing the National Theatre would be known as Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre, with four creative hubs and other facilities currently under construction.

Mohammed made the clarification when he featured on Good Morning Nigeria, a live programme on the Nigerian Television Authority, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The controversy on the re-naming of the National Theatre is just a storm in a tea cup.

What we said in Spain was that there are lots of developmental projects going on within the National Theatre complex.

You have the National Theatre fully refurbished and renovated, you also have four hubs each for music, fashion, IT and film. You cannot call all of them National Theatre again.

The entire complex is what will be known as the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre, comprising the National Theatre and the four hubs.

Mohammed said the hubs were being built to provide capacity in the creative sectors.

According to him, the music hub and the film hub will be respectively built and equipped with latest technology for recording and processing music and films.

He said it would forestall Nigerian artists and film makers from going outside the country like South Africa and other places to record, process and package their music or films.

In addition to the national theatre monument and the new four hubs, the minister said a modern police station, fire station and 500 capacity car park were also being constructed in the complex.

The minister expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment for investment of 100 million dollars by the Bankers Committee, led by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the project.

Regrettably, the National Theatre which was built in 1976 has been in a state of disrepair for decades without any form of renovation or proper maintenance.

I want to express our gratitude to the Bankers Committee because there was no way we would have funded this with our budget allocation

The donation of the 100 million-dollar investment in renovating the edifice and in developing the creative industry is an achievement of this administration.

Mohammed also thanked the Lagos State Government for its invaluable contributions in making the dream possible.

According to him, the Lagos State Government is investing a lot of money in the reclamation and dredging of the surrounding area which is by the lagoon.

He said the Lagos State Government was working with experts and the Federal Ministry of Environment to restore the Ebute-Metta creek so that water within the wetland would be clean for restoration of the flora and fauna in the area.

The minister added that the state was extending the blue rail line to have a terminal at the complex to ease traffic from and into the National Theatre and the hubs.

He expressed his optimism that the National Theatre renovation project, the construction of the hubs and other facilities in the complex would be ready by November for the hosting of the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry.

On April 19 in Madrid, Spain, the minister signed a hosting agreement for the global conference with the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili.

The conference which would hold from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17 is expected to re-position the creative industry as the engine of growth not just for Nigeria or Africa but for all countries of the world. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has commenced stakeholders capacity building to effectively implement the National Programme of Action (NPoA) to accelerate economic development in the country.

Princess Gloria Akobundu, the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, said the programme would guide and mobilise the countrys efforts in implementing the needed changes to also improve the state of governance.

Akobundu said the capacity building was geared toward harmonising and finalising the NPoA framework to address the challenges identified in the Second Country Review Report (CRR).

According to her, it is critical to engage the implementers of the NPoA for better information, understanding and ownership for effective implementation.

Akobundu said that the NPoA document would be harmonised in line with the countrys National Development Plan (NDP), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and AU-Agenda 2063 for smooth implementation in line with global best practices.

Its worthy of note that the country review is an initiative by the African Union to measure governance, promote best practices and encourage peer-to-peer learning, she said.

Dr Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said the government was committed to promoting good governance practice enshrined in the ideals and vision of NEPAD which birthed the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

Ahmed, represented by Mr Peter Adeosun, an official of the ministry, said the country was proud of the progress made in the APRM as a self-monitoring tool to address governance deficit in Africa.

We will conform to our shared values in the areas of democracy and political, economic and corporate governance and socio-economic development, she said.

Sen. Abba Ali, the Chairman of the APRM Governing Council, Nigeria, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ministry of Finance for ensuring effective implementation of the programmes that entrenched good governance.

We ask that you continue so that we can get it right for a better Nigeria, Ali said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APRM was established in 2003 by the AU Heads of State and Government to foster practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development.

The core mandate of the APRM is a comprehensive NPoA developed to address governance challenges identified in the country.

NAN also reports that the five-day programme attracted stakeholders from across AU member states. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Former international, Chikelue Iloenyosi has called for better welfare for retired Nigerian footballers, in line with international best practices.

Iloenyosi,who is the Chairman Board of Trustees of the newly formed All Nigerian Players Union (ANPU) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the union was out to change the narrative.

Iloenyosi, anexSuper Eagles defender, who is also the founder of 042 Football Legends Association in Nigeria, an NGO said proper structures need to be put in place to ensure ex-internationals are not turn to beggars after retirement.

He said that was why ANPU was formed in 2021, since the Professional Players Union of Nigeria was not leaving up to expectation of his retired colleagues.

Let me tell you 85 per cent of former Nigerian players are poor, because they were not professionals, some who are rich have some other things that they are using to help their family.

Players union is not about federation, its about how you put smiles on your colleagues faces, how many of them have NGO that is supporting people.

I created football association singlehandedly funded by me, nobody is giving me any dime. We have 850 people on the platform, he said.

The former Super Eagles defender stressed the need for a proper retirement scheme for ex-internationals like its done abroad.

On the forthcoming NFF elective Congress slated for September, he called on all stakeholders, including ex-internationals to show interest, so as to collectively reposition Nigerian football.

Iloenyosi who was recently honoured with an award of excellence by the FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) pledged to continue to support the development of Nigerian football.

NAN reports Iloenyosi featured in theNigeria national under-20 football teamat the1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.

He earned fifteen (15) senior caps for Nigeria in 2000and he was part of the Olympic team 2000 in Sydney. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News