By Ruth Oketunde

A civil society organisation, Youth Alive Foundation (YAF) has called on the government to fully implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to protect affected persons from further pain.

YAF Executive Director, Udy Akpan, made the call in a statement signed by Chamberlain Etukudoh, Head, Communication Unit of the Foundation on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akpan, while reacting to the death of popular gospel singer, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu, who allegedly died as a result of spousal abuse, said it was time to put an end to the culture of silence.

She said while the VAPP Act was indeed passed in 2015, it was still at varying stages of adoption at the state levels, making it difficult to reap its benefits.

Akpan, while calling on women and girls to leave any abusive relationship that threaten their wellbeing, also advised Nigerians to desist from stigmatising victims of such relationships.

Youth Alive Foundation has raised concerns over the culture of silence by women and girls in abusive relationships.

The society has made girls and women believe it is her responsibility to keep the marriage or relationship together at all cost.

Even if the cost it requires her life, it seems somehow more acceptable than to be unmarried or divorced.

Due to the culture of silence, violence and other harmful practices have become deep-rooted and difficult to battle.

Many have died and others maimed in a bid to not disrupt the almost sacred silence.

We are working with other civil society organisations on the Safeguarding Against Violence and Exploitation (SAVE) project in various states to advocate for the adoption and implementation of the VAPP Act, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will ensure thorough investigation into the cause of its Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crash that occurred on Tuesday at NAF Base, Kaduna.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwwt, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said this when he visited the families, friends and colleagues of the two pilots who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

They are: Flt.- Lt. Abubakar Alkali and Flt.-Lt. Elijah Karatu.

Amao, however, constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

The CAS assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School (FTS ), Kaduna, that all measures would be emplaced to avert similar occurrence in the future.

He also reminded them on the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before NAF and other security agencies.

This, he said, was to enable them to continue to rid the North-West and indeed the entire nation of all criminal elements.

The unfortunate incident of trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take daily t

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The first lady, Aisha Buhari, has called on Muslims faithful to use the Ramadan period to intensify prayers for lasting peace and security in Nigeria.

Buhari made the call on Tuesday night when she hosted wives of service chiefs and other top government functionaries to a Ramadan breakfast at the State House, Abuja.

She said the Almighty God has provided Nigerians with another opportunity to dedicate themselves in fasting and prayers to ensure peace and development of the country.

The first lady also urged Nigerians to extend good virtues of sharing, love, support, forgiveness and sacrifice for the betterment of mankind and Nigeria.

Buhari, while expressing her gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to witness the 2022 Ramadan, expressed optimism that the period would provide the country with abundance peace and tranquility.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam which provides an opportunity for Muslim ummah to intensify prayers in humility and the fear of God.

The fasting period is also to extend good virtues of sharing, forgiveness, love, peace and sacrifices for the betterment of mankind and the society.

The dignitaries who attended the event include wives of ministers and other Nigerian women who unanimously expressed their appreciation to the first lady for her commitment to peaceful coexistence of Nigeria. (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

The Secretary to Niger Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, says the government has invested more than N3 billion in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for the provision of transformers, service lines and other services for communities.

Matane announced this during a news conference in Minna on Wednesday.

The AEDC on April 15 issued a notice to disconnected all government facilities from power supply over N1.9 billion debt the state government was owning the company.

The company went ahead to disconnect all government facilities such as the state house of assembly complex, state secretariat, office of the Secretary to the Niger government, water board and all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Matane said that the state government was only owing the company only N1 billion of which about 50 per cent of the debt was inherited from the previous administration.

He refuted the claims by AEDC that the state government was owing the company N1.9 billion, explaining that the state government instead invested more than N3 billion into the company to purchase of transformers and other light services.

Matane said that the state government had been paying N46 million to the company monthly, adding that government had engaged a private consultant to verify the validity of the claims made by AEDC.

He noted that the present administration was a responsible government that had always created an enabling environment for investors and private organisations to thrive.

He assured the public that efforts were ongoing to ensure water supply to residents as soon as possible.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has underscored the need for effective regulations in harnessing the gains of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for global relevance.

Sylva said for Nigeria to continue to be relevant at the global stage it must design regulations that could balance the energy base load for Nigeria.

Sylva said this while declaring open a stakeholders consultation forum on draft regulations under the PIA on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the draft regulations were prepared by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in conjunction with the Presidential Steering Committee on the PIA.

The premier consultative forum was aimed at ensuring inputs and considerations of oil and gas stakeholders on the draft regulations for smooth implementation of the PIA.

The regulations include: Host communities development: Petroleum royalty: Upstream fess and rent: Domestic gas delivery obligations: Nigeria conversation; and Licencing regulations.

Sylva said effective regulations would ensure that Nigeria was not left behind in the energy transition train while still harnessing our rich natural hydrocarbon reserves.

The minister expressed hope that the input from various stakeholders would further clarify the draft regulations and eventual firming up of the final regulations for use.

According to the minister, government has a mandate of ensuring sound management of the oil and gas sector considering the key role the sector plays in revenue generation for the country.

He said it was on this background that the Presidential Steering Committee on PIA, which he chaired, played the pivotal role in collaborating with NUPRC in drafting the first set of regulations for review.

He commended the effort of the commission in the preparation of those draft regulations to beat the deadline set by the law for the commencement of the implementation of the PIA.

I am hopeful that the regulationswhen fully implemented will help in no small measure in the smooth take-off of the day-to-day operations of the NUPRC, he added.

Recall that on Aug. 16, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the PIA after the National Assembly passed the bill.

Sylva said that the eventual assent signaled a new era and opportunities in the oil and gas sector of the economy after almost two decades of unsuccessful efforts to have the law passed in Nigeria.

Sylva, while decrying challenges posed by huge divestments in the hydrocarbon explorations by oil majors in the past due to global energy transition called for more innovative ways in fossil fuel exploitation and exploration in Nigeria.

In a remark, Mr Gbenga Komolafe,Commission Chief Executive,NUPRC said the forum was expected to discuss and finalise the draft Regulations in line with Section 216 of the PIA 2021.

Komolafe said besides the statutory imperative on the part of the commission to have the regulations finalised on time, there was also the compelling need for the nation to conclude the regulations-making process for PIA implementation.

This, he said, would enable Nigeria to hedge against the impact of energy transition and take advantage of the oil and gas supply gap resulting from the current developments in Russia and Ukraine.

We are conscious of prioritising regulations to meet the timelines in the PIA. As such, this first phase of the stakeholders engagement will capture burning issues on the implementation in line with Section 235 of the PIA.

And also finalising the 2020 bid round through issuance of Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) in line with Section 94 (2) of the PIA and a host of others, the CCE said.

The CCE was optimistic that all grey areas would receive adequate clarification with a view to giving meaning to the intent of the PIA for user-friendly implementation and attractive investments.

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

No fewer than 150 underprivileged women were empowered to start up drink distribution business on Wednesday in Owerri by the Guinness Empowerment programme.

The women were trained on business management strategies for profitability and assigned supervising sales officers to guide them in the businesses.

Speaking at the programme, the Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Rotimi Odushola, said the programme was conceived as a way of giving back to key stakeholders.

Odushola said the targeted beneficiaries were underprivileged women with entrepreneurial instincts who would hopefully start up their businesses with the materials provided at the programme.

He added the company believes in diversity, women inclusion and other economically disadvantaged members of society.

Odushola said they would continue to monitor the beneficiaries and provide them with connections to sustain their businesses as a way of helping them to stand on their feet economically.

Also speaking at the programme, a Manager at Guinness, Mrs Olanike Onakoya, said the exercise was a reflection of the companys policy on gender inclusion and women empowerment.

Onakoya while highlighting the need for gender parity expressed hope that it would be achieved through women empowerment.

She, however, urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity.

Onakoya said that the programme would not only teach the women how to maximise profits but also provide economic uplift and improve self-esteem.

Earlier, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo Government, Prof. Kenneth Amaechi, commended the company for its efforts at improving the lives of women.

Amaechi added that the programme would have massive impact on the economy of the state and urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mavis Okoro, while appreciating the facilitators commended the women for recognising the benefits for participating in the programme.

Okoro also encouraged them to put in their best and diligently follow the guidance of their assigned supervisors to ensure they succeed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the women were given free drinks for sale, coolers and umbrellas to start up their businesses. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The Electoral Hub, an advocacy group, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) anti-graft and financial institutions to monitor the 2023 campaign spendings.

The Electoral Hub, is an organ of the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD).

Ms Princess Hamman-Obels, Director of IRIAD, Electoral Hub in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said that the call was to ensure compliance to the law and ensure a fair playing ground for all.

Hamman-Obels said the cooperation of the anti-graft agency will ensure that election results are not determined by the amount of money a political party or a candidate spends during campaigns.

Although money is germane in the conduct of campaigns, this does not warrant the excessive deployment and vile use of money in the electoral process thus, contravening acceptable ethical standards.

In the 2022 Electoral Act, expenditure ceilings, a presidential candidate is now at liberty to spend up to five billion naira while governorship candidates can spend up to one billion naira.

For the Senate and House of Representatives candidates, they can spend up to a maximum of one hundred million naira and seventy million naira respectively.

Compliance with these regulations as well as the monitoring of all sources of funds accruing to political parties is placed on the shoulders of INEC by the constitution.

This campaign ceiling for candidates is actually a lot for vulnerable groups like women ,youths and persons with disabilities because traditionally or socially , they do not have access to resources yet some candidates overshoot it.

Hamman -Obels said that for a long time because of the patriarchal nature of the society ,men have been controlling resources and their old boys network make them access resources easily.

She said that men easily get bankrolled for electoral positionsand they also easily get God fathers to sponsore their electoral positions but women,youths and PWDs do not easily have these opportunities.

She said that the gender bill rejected by the National Assembly would have helped in addressing the issue marginalised groups.

The National Assembly, she said, should reconsider those bills to encourage the participation of women and people with disabilities.

She said that in terms of campaign finances, a lot needed to be done to ensure compliance because presently INEC seemed to need the support of multisectoral stakeholders to adress the ussue .

Hamman-Obels said that there was need to start pushing for a more holistic electoral expenses agenda where stahekgiers would take responsibility for reporting campaign funding.

She said that there was no need overburdening INEC unnecessarily adding that some of these responsibility should be thrown back to political parties and candidates.

She said that it was high time citizens and candidates alike woke up to their responsibilities with the collective interest of the nation at heart to report irregularities around campaign ceiling .

She added that nobody should actually be chased to do the right thing.
Hamman-Obels called for a holistic framework for electoral expenses and have a joint stakeholders committee juts like INEC had the Interagency Consultative Meeting on Election Security.

She said that there should also be something similar to that in terms of monitoring campaign finance In the country .

She said that the different agencies responsible for monitoring finances could come together to monitor campaign finance to a broader framework so that all the burden would not be on INEC alone.

She said that was the way to start looking at it to make it more effective and make it more possible for vulnerable groups to participate in elections where use of excessive money would not oush them out of participation.

I think we need to start thinking along that line.

So where you have institutions like CBN ,Bankers community ,EFCC ,NDIC among others coming together with INECn to fashion out a framework about how to monitor campaign finance it would create a level playing field for all.

We can always learn from best practices like in Poland where bank accounts of candidates are monitored she said.NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

A female senatorial aspirant in Kogi West, Mrs Adedoyin Eshanumi, has solicited the support of the executive members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi to sail through 2023 elections to the National Assembly.

Speaking with stakeholders at the APC Secretariats in Yagba East and Mopamuro local government areas on Tuesday, Eshanumi said her visit was to interface with them and formally declare her intention to represent Kogi West at the National Assembly.

She enjoined the delegates to support and encourage womens participation in politics, noting that APC is bringing up a policy to fielding women candidates in various elective positions in the 2023 general elections.

She appealed to the people, especially women to support themselves and rally round women candidates.

I am here to appeal to you to give me your total support, and I will ensure I do the needful for me to emerge as the senator representing Kogi West, she said.

Eshanumi noted that she contested for the same position in 2019, saying she would not disappoint the people if given the opportunity to represent them.

Responding, the APC Chairman Yagba East, Mr. Kehinde Atteh, commended the aspirant for her courage to step out to contest in the 2019 and for her resilience to come out again.

Atteh stressed that Yagba people have been lagging behind, saying, this is the time to re-orientate ourselves and give women a chance.

He assured Eshanumi of the full support of the delegates, while urging the people to summon courage and do the needful.

The senate position in Kogi West is Yagbas turn, and we need to encourage ourselves; we will never accept imposition of any candidate, Atteh said.

On his part, Mr Charles Omoyele, the Mopamuro APC Chairman, also commended Eshanumi for her courage, while advising her not to lose focus or give up.

We are lucky in Yagba to have a woman that is contesting for Kogi West senatorial seat; God will lead you by His grace. If it is Gods will you will get there, he said.

Omoyele promised to reinforce the support given to her in 2019, urging her to do it differently as they would be given women a chance this time around, and prayed for Gods approval.

Also speaking, APC Mopamuro Women Leader, Mrs Fehintola Zaccheous; and the partys Assistant Legal Adviser, Mr Sunday Elefiku, assured the female aspirant of their total support.

Zaccheous commended Eshanumi for her efforts in 2019 and for the courage to come out again in in spite of the stress.

We assure you that all Yagba women are solidly behind you to support you, because we know you are more than capable and you will make women proud, Zaccheous said.

On his part, Elefiku encouraged Eshanumi to remain focused and not give up on her ambition, saying the men would be ready to do everything to support her.

Eshanumi made some cash and foodstuff donations to the stakeholders at APC secretariat.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli has successfully repatriated another batch of 158 stranded Nigerians in Libya.

Mr Kabiru Musa, Charge d Affairs of the Nigerian Mission in Libya disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Musa, the 158 repatriated Nigerians who left the Tripoli International in Libya are expected to arrive Nigeria on Tuesday via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said that among the returnees were men, women and children who were either stranded or rescued victims of human trafficking.

The continuous evacuation is in-line with the commitments of the Nigerian government in ensuring that stranded Nigerians in Libya who are willing to return home are assisted to safe return.

The Nigerian Mission in Libya under the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the assistance of the IOM have continued to carry out the voluntary repatriation of stranded Nigerians in Libya.

Libya being a transit country, route to Europe plays host to thousands of irregular migrants who get stuck on their journey.

The Nigerian government has pledged to ensure they are repatriated safely and reintegrated into the society upon return and this exercise today is in fulfilment of our governments promise.

The Nigerian Mission in Tripoli with the support of IOM will continue to render necessary consular assistance to Nigerians facing difficulties in Libya and will ensure their safe return home, Musa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, which is under renovation, will be known as Lagos Creative and Entertainment Center, upon completion.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,disclosed this on Tuesday in Madrid, Spain while signing an agreement on Nigerias hosting of first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the bilateral agreement was signed between Nigeria and United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the organisations headquarters.

Mohammed disclosed that the global conference ,which would hold from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17,would be the first event to be staged at the newly refursbished edifice.

Nigeria will be hosting the event at the National Theatre in Lagos, which is currently being renovated at a cost of 100 million dollars under a partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee/Central Bank of Nigeria.

It is the first of such renovation of the iconic edifice in over four decades.

In addition to the renovation, new hubs are being constructed, within the premises of the National theatre, for fashion, Information, technology, film and music.

With that, the National Theatre is now known as the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre.

In addition, the Lagos surface rail system ,to serve the National Theatre ,will be commissioned ahead of the Global Conference,he said

Mohammed said the signing of the bilateral agreement signified Nigerias commitment to host the event.

He ,therefore, directed that the contractors handling the reconstruction project must ensure its prompt delivery for the global event.

The minister added that in an effort to ensure that the complex is ready for the hosting in November, he recently undertook an inspection tour of ongoing work there with stakeholders.

The stakeholders on the inspection tour, according to the minister, were Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu; the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare.

According to the minister, there was every indication that the venue would be ready early enough to host the global conference.

The Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Mr Ademola Seriki, who said he is a member of Board of Directors of the company handling the reconstruction project, said the edifice would be completed before the global event.

Seriki, who accompanied the minister to the bilateral agreement signing ceremony, thanked the UNWTO for giving Nigeria the right to host the maiden global conference.

He said the conference would bring a huge reputation to the country and assert Nigerias lead in music, theatre and other areas of entertainment in Africa.

NAN reports that Mr Folorunsho Coker, ,Director -General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, was on the entourage of the minister.

The National Theatre, an iconic centre for performing arts, was established to preserve, present and promote arts and culture in Nigeria.

The construction of the monument was completed in 1976 in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture hosted in 1977. (NAN)

Source: NAN News