By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the get-together was to show Buharis appreciation to the critical stakeholders for their continued support, understanding and cooperation to his administration.

It was also meant to show appreciation to the founding fathers for keeping faith with the goals and ideals of the ruling party for national salvation.

The engagement was also in furtherance of genuine efforts by the Buhari administration aimed at ensuring a rancour free and successful National Convention of the party, slated for March26.

Others in attendance included the first Interim Chairman of Party, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Ogbomnaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Ibrahim Shekarau and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

Others are Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Masari of Katsina, and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The Chairman, Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party, Mai Mala Buni, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also attended the dinner.

NAN reports that no official statement was issued on the outcome of interactive dinner as at the time of filing this report.

Buhari had earlier met with APC governors, national chairmanship aspirants of the party as well as the partys leadership at the National Assembly during which issues relating to the APC National Convention were discussed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it recorded more than 40 cases of human trafficking in Anambra in one year.

Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, the Commander of NAPTIP in the state, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day Stakeholders Sensitisation Forum organised by Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM- Nigeria) on Wednesday in Awka.

The project is supported by the Network of Civil Society organization against Child trafficking, abuse and labour (NACTAL), Anambra Chapter and funded by the European Union, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).

Ibadin said that majority of the cases handled by the agency included child sexual exploitation and sale of human beings.

We have recorded and handled over 40 heart-touching cases of human trafficking in Anambra in the last one year and it bothers more on women and children.

Children are being sold like commodities in the state which is why we hear cases of missing children. This is so disturbing.

It is not a fight for NAPTIP alone. We are calling for partnership with the state government, organisations and stakeholders to eradicate the menace in our society, she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Lilian Ezenwa, National Vice President, NACTAL, described trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants as a crime against humanity and should be eradicated in the country.

The focus has always been in the South-South, especially Edo but South-East is becoming a time bomb that cannot be ignored. In January, 13 young men en-route Libya were arrested in Kano and 11 of them were from the south-East.

Cases of baby sales and baby factory are becoming rampant in the south-East. So, government needs to partner with stakeholders to curb these problems, she said

In his address, Mr Joseph Sanwo, Senior Project Officer, A-TIPSOM- Nigeria/FIIAPP, said the organisations were supporting the government in Nigeria to reduce trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants and increase awareness in the country.

I am happy that the people of Anambra have accepted that there is a challenge of human trafficking in the state. So, we need to gather all the support to nip this menace in the bud.

It is okay to travel outside the country, but I advise that you travel right, he said.

In her remarks, Ms Eucharia Onyemaobi, State Coordinator (NACTAL), lamented the increasing rate of baby factories, baby sales and egg sales in Anambra.

Onyemaobi said the forum was aimed at brainstorming ways to take the fight against human trafficking to the community level where potential victims reside.

The perpetrators of human trafficking have continued to change their trends and patterns to stay upgraded in the crime. We need to increase public awareness, she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Hussaaina Yakubu

Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Aisha Dikko,says the state government is committed to the speedy dispensation of justice following the recent enactment of the States Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

The commissioner spoke on Thursday in Kaduna at a one-day seminar and retreat with the theme, Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law Monitoring Committee:The journey so far.

Dikko explained that the Law was enacted to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions and speedy dispensation of justice.

According to her, the law seeks to protect the society from crime, as well as protect the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.

Dikko also highlighted what both the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and the Ministry of Justice had been doing to ensure compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

She said the committee, in collaboration with the ministry and in consultation with the judiciary, had instituted a plea bargain committee, with a manual to guide parties seeking to explore plea bargain approach in settlement of matters.

The Attorney-General argued that plea bargain was necessitated by the need to conclude criminal proceedings in little or no time, with all parties going home as winners, having been able to come to a consensus.

This in turn saves the time of the court, decongests its docket and decongests the custodial centres, thus saving tax payers monies and saving the state the time and cost of prosecution.

It also gives the victim, an almost certain compensation, and the defendant, the opportunity to purge his or herself of an offence, she added.

The commissioner also said that the committee and the ministry had fashioned out a sentencing guideline aimed at aiding the court in deciding appropriate sentences to pass on defendants upon conclusion of criminal proceedings.
(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has reiterated his commitment to tackling the challenge of accommodation and other infrastructures across the Nigerian Army Barracks.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said that Yahaya gave the assurance while inaugurating projects within 81 Division Nigerian Army in Lagos on Thursday.

The COAS said that the Nigerian army had sustained effort towards boosting troops morale and well-being through provision of conducive working and living conditions.

He also pledged to continue to provide intervention projects in the areas of barracks renovation and construction, procurement of new platforms and rehabilitation of hospitals for effective medical care.

Yahaya also assured troops that army headquarters would continue to upgrade weapon systems and equip its training institutions to effectively actualise his vision.

He said his vision was to have a professional Nigerian army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.

The army chief also reiterated the commitment of the army to tackle contemporary and emerging security challenges in the country.

He, however, charged all personnel to continuously strive to protect the citizenry and critical assets within their respective areas of responsibility.

You must be selfless in the conduct of operations to bring succour to those in despair as you discharge your constitutional responsibilities to the nation, he said.

The COAS urged the officers and men to justify the resources expended to improve their well-being by remaining committed professionally and ensuring maintenance of infrastructure in their Barracks.

He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous support to the Nigerian army which had made the improvement of personnel welfare possible.

He also commended the General Officer Commanding 81 Division and Corps Commanders, for providing necessary oversight on the projects during construction.

The newly-inaugurated projects include Transit Accommodation for Finance and the Supply and Transport Corps, Students Hostel for Ordinance School and three newly-built official residences for Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSM) of the Division.

Others are Army Engineers and Signals Corps, accommodation for the Commander and Deputy Commander of Command Finance Office at Apapa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Thursday said that no fewer than 1,096,355 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) printed prior to the 2019 general elections were still yet to be collected in the state.

The new INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, disclosed this at his maiden stakeholders meeting with party leaders, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders on Thursday in Lagos.

Let me also inform you that some Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of those that registered prior to the 2019 General Election are still available at all the 20 LGAs for collection by those who are supposed to have done so.

It is important to point out that a total of 5,626,537 PVCs were collected by their owners before the 2019 General Election out of 6,728,394 PVCs received in the state leaving a balance of 1,101,557.

Out of the remaining ones, 5,202 had so far been collected since the beginning of the CVR exercise last year.

A total of 1,096,355 PVCs are yet to be collected as we speak.

I want to use this opportunity to urge all those that are yet to collect their PVCs to go to the INEC offices in the LGAs where they registered to do so.

All PVCs issued by INEC are valid to be used to vote in all elections conducted by INEC including the 2023 General Election, Agbaje said.

The REC said that the level of participation of eligible residents of the state since the beginning of the CVR , both online and physical capturing exercise, was very low compared to other states in the country with lesser populations.

According to him, those who have registered online without completing the physical capturing exercise will not be eligible for PVCs and cannot vote in 2023.

He said that the third quarter of the CVR had been concluded and the printing of the register generated during the third quarter was at an advanced stage , and would be on display between March 26 and April 1, for claims and objections.

Agbaje said that the fourth quarter CVR would take place between April 11 and June 30.

So far, a total of 112,127 eligible citizens have completed their registration as of March 21 in Lagos State since the beginning of the CVR in 2021, the INEC REC said.

He said that prior to the expansion of Voter Access to Polling Units across the Federation by the Commission in 2021, Lagos State had 8,464 Polling Units, but the Polling Units had increased to 13,325 after the exercise.

The commissioner urged party leaders and the media in the state to assist INEC in educating the voters to register or transfer their registration to the new polling units in the ongoing CVR so as not to defeat the purpose of creating them.

Agbaje urged political parties to always adhere strictly to their respective parties constitutions, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in all their affairs, particularly byensuring internal party democracy during the upcoming primaries.

The REC noted that the major challenges facing the commission were the win-at-all-cost attitudes of some politicians and voter apathy.

In his remarks, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State said that the council was ready to work with INEC in all its activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Also, Prince Ifagbemi Awamaridi, the Lagos State Chairman of Labour Party (LP), said that all stakeholders were demanding from INEC were integrity and transparency, saying that people would not complain if elections were free and fair.

Mr Richard Benson, the Lagos State Vice-Chairman of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Publicity Secretary, IPAC, called on INEC to do more on awareness campaigns and opportunity for people living with disability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has disclosed the 12th Edition of Zuma Film Festival, scheduled to hold in Abuja from April 2 to 9, 2022 has been shifted to between May 1 and May 7.

The Director, Public Affairs of NFC, Mr Brian Etuk, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Etuk explained the shift in date became necessary to achieve a successful and impact driven international film festival having recently designated Abuja as the official Host City of the festival, in line with best global practices.

He said that the collaborative partnership between the NFC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to jointly host the festival had provided the opportunity for increase in domestic, foreign investors and stakeholders participation and attendance.

He said that the festival bouquet had equally been up scaled in content, scope and design to achieve its desired objectives.

According to him, the NFC, FCTA and its partners regret any inconvenience caused by the shift in date.

He assured that all related activities prior to new date of May 1 to 7, for the festival, themed Show the Money, with the International Conference Centre, and Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja as event venues, would be communicated accordingly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the FCTA permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, in November 2021, said the administration in partnership with NFC would hold the Zuma Film Festival in April.

Adesola, who made the disclosure while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the NFC, said the administration accommodated the hosting of the festival in its 2022 budget. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says a total of 47,975 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East from September 2021 to date.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said this while giving an update on military operations between March 10 and March 24, on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the achievement of the military within the period included killing of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35, recovery of 34 AK47, five dane guns and nine locally made guns.

He said the troops also recovered 270 rustled cows, three motor cycles and 13 bicycles used by the terrorists for movement.

According to him, while 7,000 Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists from different locations surrendered, troops also rescued 27 civilians in the last two weeks.

The surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action, he said.

In Operation Hadarin Daji, Onyeuko said the Air Component carried out air interdiction on March 14 at Unguwar Adam village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing more than 27 bandits.

He said the air raid was sequel to an intelligence report about the gathering of more than 50 terrorists for meeting their key commanders and leaders.

He added that one Malam Sule, a brother to notorious bandit, Lalbi Ginshima, was among those killed in the air raid, which according to him is a major setback for the group.

The Defence spokesman said scores of terrorists were also killed in another air interdiction carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, adding that those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops.

He said troops also neutralised eight bandits, arrested seven, rescued 56 victims and recovered arms and other equipment in other operations during the period.

In Operation Safe Haven, Onyeuko said the troops recovered several stolen railway sleepers, three trucks, one J5 bus, two AK47 rifles with extra magazines during operations within their area of responsibility.

He said the troops also rescued three civilian victims, neutralised two bandits and apprehended 19 others, who he said were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.

In Operation Whirl Stroke, Onyeuko said that troops eliminated no fewer than 10 bandits, arrested five, recovered vehicles and different types of weapons during the period.

According to him, troops have continued to carry out operations against terrorists, bandits and other enemies of the state and have remained committed to all operational engagements.

While the security situation in some locations remained peaceful and calm, some other areas recorded some incidents within the period, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The management of Katsina United Football Club has unveiled Usman Abdallah as the clubs new Technical Adviser.

The unveiling was performed on Wednesday in Katsina by the Club Chairman, Abdulsamad Badamasi, alongside some of the clubs officials.

Badamasi explained that the new Technical Adviser has signed a 21-month contract, effective from March 23, 2022 to December 22, 2023.

This signing of a new technical adviser is aimed at rebranding the team, to enable it return to form for more success in the ongoing 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), he said.

Abdallah, while speaking during the ceremony, thanked the clubs management for giving him the chance to serve and contribute towards the development of football game in the state.

I assure you of doing my best to transform the club and enhance the performance of the players, he said.

The former coach of Enyimba International FC of Aba however appealed to the club management to give him all the needed support to enable him succeed.

While giving a brief on Abdallah during the unveiling, clubs spokesperson, Nasir Gide, said the coach was born on July 16 of 1974 at Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

He has previously served as Chief/Head Coach of Enyimba, Technical Adviser at Junior Kano Pillars, FC Toulon France, FC Sete France, FC Frontignan France, Ballene FC France and Jollilad FC of Singapore, among other clubs.

Abdallah has won the NPFL title in 2019, and was CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalist in 2018 and a runner-up in the Bangladesh Premier League as Coach/Player.

Similarly, he has gained experience at different clubs both here in Nigeria and abroad, Gide said.
L
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Katsina United FC management recently dispensed with the services of Azeez Audu as the clubs Technical Adviser. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday rolls out 1,000 technology-driven GAC-branded automobiles, codenamed LAG RIDE.

Sanwo-Olu said during the rollout ceremony held at Lagos House Ikeja, that the LAG RIDE was a ride hailing taxi initiative, being operated on a lease-to-own basis.

The initiative is a partnership between Lagos State-owned IBILE Holding Ltd. and CIG Motors Company with the objective to provide clean and reliable means of taxi movement across the metropolis at affordable cost.

Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of the cost of vehicle, registration and insurance.

Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.

He said that the state had moved another step forward in its drive to develop an efficient transportation model in tune with modernity and comfort.

The governor said that the aim was not to run existing hailing ride operators out of the business, but to offer safer alternative and clear the roads of rickety cars being used for taxi business.

He said that the scheme would provide opportunities to the operators to become owners of the vehicles within three to four years period.

According to him, the need for better, dignifying and more rewarding means of transportation and livelihood for unemployed and underemployed population necessitate the new Lagos State Taxi Scheme.

Under this arrangement, a beneficiary will be provided a brand-new car which will become the drivers property after completion of the payment of the vehicles subsidised cost, he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that to improve riders and passengers security, a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera, that would give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.

He added that each car came with a physical panic button that could be used by anyone on board, in case of assault or emergency.

The governor said that the panic button was also on the mobile application and was connected to the Control and Command Centre.

He said that the automobile assembly plant being set up in Lagos another component of the partnership between CIG Motors and the state government stood at 60 per cent completion, with anticipated start of operations expected by September.

The Commissioners for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladehinde, said that the scheme was another milestone achievement by the state government.

Oladeinde said that to make the rides affordable, the technology on which the scheme was operated had made ride-sharing possible for passengers, who would agree to share ride and share transit costs.

The Chairman of CIG Motors, Nigeria, Mrs Diana Chang, said that the roadmap for the urbanisation of the transportation system in Lagos started in Nov. 2019, when the Gov. Sanwo-Olu and members of his cabinet visited the Republic of China for bilateral partnership.

Chang said that the unveiling of the LAG RIDE was the glorious end of the partnership sealed with Chinese investors.

We are using this partnership to promote a Greater Lagos where opportunities abound for citizens of the state, while creating a win-win model for all stakeholders, she said.

The Managing Director of IBILE Holding, Mr Abiodun Amokomowo, said that over 5,700 drivers had downloaded the drivers mobile apps as at Tuesday, out of which 1,786 drivers submitted applications.

Amokomowo said that registration and enrolment fee had been accepted from 359 drivers, while others were awaiting screening.

As part of the process each operator will go through for the safety and security of life and effective operations of the scheme.

We will conduct full verification of applicants Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) ID cards, medical history, background check and verification of NIN and Lagos resident registration numbers, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, on Wednesday inaugurated Prosthetics and Orthotics workshop at the 44 Nigerian Army Refence Hospital, Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was built by German Government for the production of artificial limbs through the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG).

The minister, who was represented by Dr Olajide Jonhson, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, commended the German government for its support to Nigerias war against insurgency.

He recalled that the GTAG, a bilateral programme between Nigeria and Germany, had established a rehabilitation clinic and handed it over to Nigerian government in 2019.

Within the short time of its operation and for the fact that the clinic is the only one of its kind with state-of -the-art medical equipment in Nigeria, it attracted an overwhelming patronage across the country, he said.

Magashi said the GTAG initiated the expansion of the clinic to accommodate the prosthetic workshop to cater for the large turnout of patients.

I, therefore, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, express our profound gratitude to the German government for these laudable projects.

The Federal Government and particularly members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain grateful for your diverse support in supplying of medical equipment and provision of technical expertise through GTAG,

He pledged to ensure effective utilisation of the for the benefit of all Nigerians and humanity in general.

I wish to also reassure you of our utmost desire to sustain this very important collaboration between our armed forces, Magashi said.

Earlier, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Birgitt Ory, said the handover of the clinic and workshop was an important step in the relationship between the two countries.

The ambassador was represented by Lt-Col. Jens Gliemann of the German Technical Advisory Group.

According to her, the GTAG equipment aid programme is for selected countries in Africa, including Nigeria, to improve the operational capability of their armed forces.

In Nigeria, the German government has invested around 20 million euros over the past five years as part of the equipment aid programme.

Of this, around 2.8 million euros went to the rehabilitation center project in the 44 reference hospital Kaduna.

She recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari made the request for the establishment of the centre in 2015 during the G7 Summit in Germany.

The President had a very friendly and fruitful exchange of views with our former Chancellor Angela Merkel on bilateral relations, international security and measures to be taken against challenges in the region.

The ambassador outlined several projects that were discussed in the German Parliament, some of which have been included in the equipment aid programme.

Ory said a training programme for Nigerian prosthetic technicians was initiated in 2020 at one of the largest manufacturers of artificial limbs in the world, the German company OTTOBOCK.

They have received one year of training and have been certified by international standards; in September 2022, Nigeria will have three certified technicians, she said.

The ambassador expressed delight that Nigeria has already started to produce prostheses.

The first five patients have already received their new limbs and, in cooperation with the rehabilitation clinic, they will quickly learn to master their lives with this new medical aid.

There is no denying that the partnership approach is beginning to bear fruit.

We, the Federal Republic of Germany, will further intensify this cooperation in the coming years and will closely support our Nigerian partner, Ory said.

The Acting Commander, Medical Corps, Nigerian Army, Col. Idris Solebo, said the establishment of the workshop for production of artificial limbs for soldiers and civilians was very important.

This local production of world class artificial limbs will facilitate our efforts at rehabilitation of combat amputees, thereby boosting the morale of the fighting force, Solebo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News