By Muhammad Lawal

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi State Area Command, has impounded an articulated vehicle loaded with donkey skin worth more than N42 million.

The Comptroller, Mr Joseph Attah, who disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, described the act as illegal.

He said it contravened the International Convention on Wildlife of which Nigeria is a signatory.

Attah explained that two suspects, a driver and a passenger, had been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The comptroller said: What you are seeing here today is a product of endangered species. Nigeria as a nation is a signatory to the International Convention on Wildlife.

It means that animals that are globally classified as endangered species are not supposed to be hunted, poached and not to be eaten as meat.

After a thorough searching, we discovered that 1,390 sacks of donkey meat were concealed in the sacks.

In my interactions with one of those who have connection with these items told me that about 1,000 donkeys were slaughtered to be able to gather the quantity of meat concealed in the sacks.

This is illegal, it is not right and it contravened Section 6(b) of the Customs and Excise Act 45 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It also contravened the Convention Treaty which Nigeria is also a signatory to, he said.

Attah explained that the Customs was fully aware that some foreigners were coming to the country to illegally purchase the endangered species for their nations industrial usage and benefits.

According to him, Nigeria as a responsible member of the global community cannot afford to be silent on things that can raise questions on its integrity.

Our country is a responsible member of the international community. We have the capacity and we are out to protect these animals.

We cannot allow our nation to be used as conduit pipe for the passage of illegal trade on wildlife. We are aware that some foreigners do come to African countries with money and poke our endangered animals for their industrial needs.

This is not in our interest as a people and as Nigerians, we have the responsibility to say to this kind of illegality.

Kebbi Area Command is determined to fight all forms of smuggling. We are determined to stop all forms of illegal business, he said.

Attah promised to ensure that those who engaged in such illegal trade were arrested, thereby making it unprofitable for them.

He said such culprits could end up in a correctional centre.

We shall continue to do that. This huge quantity of illegal items is valued about over N42 million and it is going to be destroyed to serve as a good example to others. All the suspects will face the wrath of the law, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has set a target for sector commands to ensure reduction of road crashes by 15 per cent nationwide in 2022.

The Zonal Commanding officer in charge of FCT and Niger State, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Shehu Mohammed, said this at the 1st Quarter Sector Operators Meeting/Retreat on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed said the command was committed to achieving the goal and surpassing the target through adequate training of personnel on strategies for optimal performance.

He said the retreat was organised to train and retrain personnel to be abreast with the current reality of reducing road traffic crashes to the barest minimum.

What we are doing today is to improve the knowledge of the personnel. What drives the economy today is knowledge and FRSC is also striving to be a knowledge-based organisation.

The expectation is that they have added knowledge and they have equally heard our target reiterated several times.

When they go back, they would use what they have learnt from the retreat to focus on those offences that may not make us to achieve the 15 per cent, he said.

Mohammed also urged the unit commanders to do more of partnership and collaboration by adopting squad patrol, instead of unit patrol, to achieve effectiveness.

He said the squad patrol embraced enforcement, public awareness, sensitisation and advocacy, saying the strategy would help them to achieve the 15 per cent target.

The Commanding officer commended FCT command for outstanding performance in 2021, urging them to redouble effort towards achieving more this year.

He urged them to ensure effective management of command resources at their disposal for optimum performance.

Meanwhile, the FCT Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr Samuel Ochi, said the retreat was convened to appraise the performance of the sector in the previous year and strategise for the current year.

Ochi assured the zonal commanding officer of the sectors readiness and commitment to working with him to actualise the 15 per cent target.

Similarly, the Unit Commander, Nyanya, Assistant Corp Commander, Sabena Musa, said the retreat would reposition the commanders for optimal performance in their efforts to keep the roads safe and free from crashes.

Musa said the retreat was an eye-opener to think outside the box to ensure that goals were met and to be able to manage the available scarce resources to ensure that the roads were free of traffic.

On his part, Unit Commander, R7.18 Lugbe FCT, Assistant Corp Commander Osondu Oheari, said the retreat was a special platform for commanders to do stocktaking and to rejig their consciousness as commanding officers in the FCT.

Oheari said the retreat would help them to put in their best and widened their horizon in discharging their duties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

Girls Voices Initiative, an NGO, has described the 2022 International Womens
Day (IWD) hashtag #BreakTheBias, as symbol of the enduring barriers faced by women in workplaces and other areas.

The groups Creative Director, Mrs Carolyn Seaman, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
on Tuesday in Abuja, on the sidelines of the Womens International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFFEN 2022) award.

The 2022 IWD celebration, which has Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow, has #BreakTheBias as its hashtag.

The award was organised by the NGOs Nation Academy, in partnership with the French Embassys PISCCA Programme
and other partners.

Seaman said the premier WIFFEN award was in commemoration of the 2022 IWD, annually observed on March 8
to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women across the globe.

She added that gender inequality and bias had led to women and girls in the country having uneven access to
healthcare, education and other basic needs.

This is why we are honouring deserving women in the film industry, in partnership with the French Embassys
PISCCA Programme.

The honour is part of efforts to recognise and celebrate the immense contributions of women to the film industry.

The 2022 IWD celebration aims to project a world that will be free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

Seaman explained that like International Womens Day, the WIFFEN 2022 focused on encouraging female filmmakers
across the country and to be at their best in their chosen profession.

She added that on this IWD, I just want to wish for more love and kindness in the world and the divine female energy
in each of us, male or female, to shine bright through our hearts. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Augusta Uchediunor

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines on abortion care in a bid to protect the health of women and girls across the world.

The global health body said in a statement on Wednesday that the new guidelines would also help prevent over 25 million unsafe abortions that currently occur each year.

According to WHO, based on the latest scientific evidence, these consolidated guidelines bring together over 50 recommendations spanning clinical practice, health service delivery, and legal and policy interventions to support quality abortion care.

Craig Lissner, Acting Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, said: Nearly every death and injury that results from unsafe abortion is entirely preventable.

Thats why we recommend women and girls can access abortion and family planning services when they need them.

WHO said that when abortion is carried out using a method recommended by WHO, appropriate to the duration of the pregnancy and assisted by someone with the necessary information or skills, it is a simple and extremely safe procedure.

However, it noted that only around half of all abortions take place under such conditions, with unsafe abortions causing around 39,000 deaths every year and resulting in millions more women hospitalized with complications.

Most of these deaths are concentrated in lower-income countries with over 60 per cent in Africa and 30 per cent in Asia and among those living in the most vulnerable situations.

The guideline includes recommendations on many simple primary care level interventions that improve the quality of abortion care provided to women and girls.

These include task sharing by a wider range of health workers; ensuring access to medical abortion pills, which mean more women can obtain safe abortion services, and making sure that accurate information on care is available to all those who need it, WHO said.

For the first time, the guidelines also include recommendations for use where appropriate of telemedicine, which helped support access to abortion and family planning services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines also highlighted the need to remove unnecessary policy barriers that facilitate access to safe abortion.

Alongside the clinical and service delivery recommendations, the guidelines recommend removing medically unnecessary policy barriers to safe abortion.

Such as criminalisation, mandatory waiting times, the requirement that approval must be given by other people (e.g., partners or family members) or institutions, and limits on when during pregnancy an abortion can take place.

Such barriers can lead to critical delays in accessing treatment and put women and girls at greater risk of unsafe abortion, stigmatisation, and health complications.

It can also increase disruptions to education and their ability to work, the WHO said.

The statement quoted Dr Bela Ganatra, Head of WHOs Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Unit, as saying, it is vital that an abortion is safe in medical terms.

But thats not enough on its own.

As with any other health services, abortion care needs to respect the decisions and needs of women and girls, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and without stigma or judgment.

No one should be exposed to abuse or harms like being reported to the police or put in jail because they have sought or provided abortion care.

The evidence is clear if you want to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, you need to provide women and girls with a comprehensive package of sexuality education, accurate family planning information and services, and access to quality abortion care.

WHO said it would support countries to implement these new guidelines and strengthen national policies and programmes related to contraception, family planning and abortion services, helping them provide the highest standard of care for women and girls. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibukun Emiola

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Oyo State chapter, has expressed fears that prices of food may rise in 2022, given the exorbitant prices of farming inputs.

Chairman of AFAN in the state, Mr John Olateru, expressed the fears in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Olateru, who stated that farmers were gearing up for the 2022 planting season, however, decried the cost of inputs, saying that this might affect the operations of farmers and the prices of their outputs.

Prices of chemicals are now more than triple of what they used to be; the same for fertilisers, while land preparation has gone from N5,000 to between N12,000 and N15,000 per hectare, he said.

Olateru said that the cost of farming inputs and other associated factors might drive up the cost of food.

The cost of cultivating farmlands has gone out of control and this will affect the prices of the items that will be planted, he said.

The AFAN chairman also lamented what he called cumbersome procedures of accessing exchange rate by farmers and sometimes, non-availability of foreign exchange for importing farming inputs.

Another problem is that on everything you import, there is 7.5 per cent VAT that you have to pay. There is also the five per cent minimum duty that you must pay on importation of tractors and other things.

If you add 7.5 per cent with five per cent, that gives you 12.5 per cent duty on what you are importing, while the official forex is not available.

All these will have multiplier effects on the prices of farmers outputs.

When people are complaining about high prices of food commodities, they may not know the factors that are driving the costs, he said.

On climate change, Olateru said on the side of farmers, going back to the farm was looking good, with favourable weather forecast, unlike what obtained in 2021.

It looks like the weather will favour us this year. I can see NIMET encouraging farmers to start planting now, unlike what obtained last year.

According to him, farming has become a profitable venture, compared with other aspects of agriculture, particularly livestock, which is now running at a loss. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has reiterated the need for women to be included in politics and governance as key for ensuring a sustainable future.

Maina, in a statement to mark the 2022 International Womens Day, on Tuesday in Abuja, said women in Nigeria were greatly marginalised.

She said this years theme Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow was apt but unfortunately not practiced in Nigeria.

Without gender equality there can be no sustainable tomorrow. As the stronger gender we perform far higher natural roles that men can ever perform.

Yet, in politics and governance we are excluded. Therefore, today I cross my two hands across my heart to join other women all over the country to say Please Break the Bias.

Nation building is a task that requires the contributions of all citizens regardless of their gender, she said.

Maina said that to perpetually shut out a significant population of a country from political participation and governance processes was to deny the country full potential for a sustainable tomorrow.

Women suffer deprivations in many spheres of our national life, yet when we ask for equity, we are pushed back by an entrenched patriarchy.

We are not asking for equality because we want to take over the roles of our men, we are asking for gender equality because that is the only guarantee of a sustainable tomorrow, she said.

According to her, the recent position taken by members of the National Assembly in the constitutional amendment process sends a bold signal to Nigerian women to wake up and organise affairs.

The former minister said it was time for the Nigerian women to rise and challenge the status quo.

She said: since politics is a game of numbers, we must come together and use our superior numbers to demand for a fairer deal.

The minimum we should demand for in the 2023 election circle is the Vice-President of the Federal republic of Nigeria and half the candidates in all elective positions. With our numbers we can do it, she said.

Maina, therefore, called on all Nigerian women to rise up to the challenge of ending the bias and enthroning equity in politics and governance.

I challenge Nigerian men to see reason in ensuring equity and inclusion in our national life; this is indeed a task for all of us; Happy International Womens Day 2022,she added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Secretary to the Kogi State Government (SSG), Dr Folashade Arike, says Gov. Yahaya Bellos capacity, dedication, sincerity and compassion makes him the right choice for President in 2023.

Arike made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lokoja.

She said Bello had carved a niche for himself and recorded successes across all sectors, adding that his commitment and passion for development is one that Nigerians are yearning for.

Arike said that Bellos style of leadership has also brought unity, peace and security to Kogi and its people, which is what Nigeria needs more at this time.

Empathy, compassion, dedication, truthfulness, sincerity, capacity to deliver on his mandate, commitment to the cause of Kogi State and Nigeria at large are the qualities of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Hardly can you find a leader that has so much passion for development as the Governor does.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello is the man that has carved a niche for himself because of the way he has piloted the affairs of the state since assumption of office.

The Governor has helped the state get better and the best thing we can do as Nigerians is to give him the support he needs to succeed and make Nigeria great.

The qualities I highlighted above do not include the fact that he is the youngest man to have ever held the position. That is also something we should ponder about.

He was a public servant as a federal civil servant and when he decided to run for office, he came straight to say he was interested in being the Governor and the almighty God installed him divinely.

He did not come and say he wanted to be the Chairman of his LGA or the state Assembly member, but a governor. That is to tell you he is a goal getter.

To tell you how great he is, he did not only make history in the state, but also in law. The legal documents of this country are no longer the same, partly, because of him, Arike told NAN.

According to her, the governors investment in infrastructure has changed the landscape of the state, turning places that were hitherto overlooked to areas deserving attention.

The SSG added that the comprehensive and all encompassing reform of the civil services has been successfully implemented, in addition to other sectors.

He has shown doggedness and determination to improve the health, education, road networks, agriculture and other aspects of peoples lives.

Women and youth of Kogi have their places in the table in terms of governance in the state. The Governor has given those demographic their pride of place having been previously neglected.

The energy of the youth, the tenacity and compassion of the women and the experience of others is what the governor is using to bring these impactful developments to the state, she added.

Arike, therefore, advised that as elections approach, Nigerians and politicians should remain peaceful, play politics according to the rules and without bitterness, for the betterment of the country.

She further urged Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Card and vote for Bello because of his youthfulness, commitment and determination to set Nigeria on a global pedestal. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday felicitated Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on his 65thbirthday anniversary, describing him as a worthy leader.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa said that Osinbajos contributions to good governance and provision of a window for ease of doing business were sterling and inspiring.

He said that in spite of challenges, the vice-president had continued to make quality contributions to the stability and growth of the nations economy.

The governor recalled Osinbajos peace moves in the Niger Delta which helped in halting agitations and destruction of oil facilities in the region.

On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate the Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as he celebrates his 65th birth anniversary.

On behalf of my brother governors and people of the Niger Delta, I thank you for your diplomatic shuttles that led to the resolution of grievances in our region and ended agitations and destruction of oil assets.

Your Excellency, we are proud of your outstanding accomplishments, uncommon patriotism and humility, which have remained the hallmark of your leadership since you became the vice-president of our great country, he said.

Okowa prayed God to grant Osinbajo good health, wisdom and many more years to serve the country and humanity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Edo, Mr Stephen Idehenre, has reiterated the state governments readiness to encourage more women into agriculture for food security in the state.

Idehenre said this on Tuesday in Benin, when he played host to members of the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), Edo Chapter.

He said that women had the capacity to develop the nation through agriculture and should be supported.

He urged the association to furnish his office with data and information of its members who are into agropreneurs, so that they could be captured in the states intervention for farmers.

The commissioner said the state government was committed to bridging the economic and social gaps existing between male and female genders in the state for a sustainable future.

Idehenre said government was committed to supporting women as evidenced in the number of women appointed as permanent secretaries and commissioners.

Earlier, the National Director of NAWE, Mrs Bridget Ngambu, gave a brief introduction of the association saying the visit was to introduce NAWE to the ministry.

Ngambu said it was also to partner with the ministry to ensure food security in the state.

The director congratulated the commissioner on his appointment and assured the ministry of the associations co-operation to move the state agricultural sector forward. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has created an additional area and regional office in Anambra to expand and deepen its operations in the state.

Mr Olanrewaju Onipede, Coordinator, SON in Anambra, stated this during the presentation of the Mandatory Certificate and Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to deserving firms in Awka on Tuesday.

Onipede who is in charge of Awka Office (Anambra 1) said the new area office otherwise known as Anambra 2 was situated in Nnewi while the regional office was also in Awka.

He said the move was to increase the reach of the agency to the firms across the state and ease the rigours encountered in the bid to access SON services and processes.

The management of SON has approved a new structure in Anambra, we now have two state offices in Awka and Nnewi and a state regional office also in Awka.

This is to bring us closer to our clients and reduce transport time and other inconveniences, it is to increase general efficiency, he said.

The coordinator said the organisation had developed a concessionary policy to encourage genuine cottage businesses and enable them regularise their operations.

Onipede warned that production, importation and distribution of unwholesome or unapproved products remained a serious offence, adding that culprits would be fished out and prosecuted.

He congratulated the nine firms which got new MANCAP certificates for 20 products and four others who got revalidation for seven products for passing the approval processes.

The coordinator said the certificate has duration of three years during which the products would be monitored and that firms stand to have them revalidated if they consistently comply with standard or be withdrawn for non-compliance.

Today we issued MANCAP certificates to nine companies for 20 products and revalidated seven products in four companies.

They submitted themselves to the processes and were found worthy, they have been consistent and it is impressive to know that we have not had cause to withdraw any certificate.

That is because they are conscious of our regular visits, surveillance, monitoring and analysis which are most times unannounced, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News