By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed outrage and disgust over what he called the heinous murder of Adamawa politician Ahmed Gulak in Owerri by yet to be identified gunmen.

The president reacted on Sunday in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

I am repulsed by such premeditated and gruesome murder of Gulak by evil people who are determined to undermine the peace, unity and territorial integrity of our country.

Let me warn, however, that nobody or group of people who engages in such despicable act should expect to go free.

We will deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that such callous and criminal elements are brought to justice, the president was quoted as saying.

Buhari expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, the people and government of Adamawa, as well as Gulaks friends and associates across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Lawal

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says 81 bodies have so far been recovered from Wednesdays boat mishap in Warrah, Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.

Bagudu disclosed this on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi when he received Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who was on a condolence visit to the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a boat from Lokon Minna, Niger State conveying traders, artisanal miners and other passengers capsized at Warrah and claimed over 100 lives.

While appreciating the governor and his entourage for the visit, Bagudu prayed that the continues harmonious relationship between the two states would ever be sustained.

Recalling the incident, Bagudu said the mishap happened in Warrah, adding that the town was by the side of River Niger close to Kainji dam.

This area remains a route for marine transportation, as it witnesses a lot of activities of canoes and boats on daily basis.

There are some boats that can carry and covey three long-trucks of goods at a time and there are some boats that travel as far as Mali from there.

But this boat was conveying over 170 people incidentally capsised at Warrah, where only 22 persons were rescued, and as at now, 81 bodies have been recovered and buried and rescue and search is still ongoing.

Warrah is a route where many people travel to Lokon Minna in Niger State for gold mining apart from women who go there to sell food.

Earlier, Masari said the visit was to sympathise with government and people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident.

He said: We are here to condole with the people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident and to sympathise with our brother and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, His Excellency, Gov. Atiku Bagudu.

This tragedy affects all of us, because in a situation where over 100 persons lost their lives is not an easy task, as you can see in other countries when one or two people loss their lives, leaders become highly emotional and offset.

This is because, the essence of government right from onset is to protect lives, wellbeing and property of the citizens. However, when something contrary happened, the leaders felt bad more than any other person.

Masari observed that the death of over 100 people may affect thousands of people, considering the fact that many people rely on some of these deceased for a living.

He lamented that the tragic incident was highly devastating and sad, praying that God Almighty would avert the recurrence of similar accident in future. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government in collaboration with UN in Nigeria Wednesday inaugurated POWERFUL H.A.N.D.S campaign to develop, change and sustain long term preventive behaviour to eliminate spread of COVID-19 pandemic amongst citizens.

The project is to be implemented by Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), an NGO with technical support from UNICEF and funding from the European Union (EU) to prevent spread of COVID-19 and other similar diseases

The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, at the inauguration in Abuja, said that the campaign would create more awareness on the pandemic and improve the practice of preventive behaviours.

Ihekweazu said that Nigeria recorded over 165,000 confirmed cases and about 200 deaths arising from COVID-19 with over 150,000 recovery cases successfully managed and discharged from hospital.

He explained that the emerging variants of the COVID-19 threatened the achievement made so far in curtailing the disease, hence the need for more efforts to eliminate it in totality.

Our behaviour continues to be very important and in as much as we appreciate the advancement, we must recognise that the future of this outbreak still lies in our hands.

Medications relieve us of symptoms, vaccines can build our immunity but our behavior is more important than any of that especially with the respiratory virus like this one, he said.

He urged Nigerians not to let down their guards due to the record of the decline in COVID-19 cases, but rather make conscientious efforts towards adhering to the guidelines of preventing COVID-19 and behavioural change.

The Executive-Director, CCSI, Mrs Babafunke Fagbemi, said that the project time frame was four months and its focus would be in Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, and Rivers, which recoded high cases of COVID-19.

We need to revive a sense of apathy, seeming hopelessness in communities by injecting fresh messages that will give hope and let people have more confidence and build their efficacies to be able to do something and the messages are easy to recall.

Social and behaviour change is the bedrock in sustainable gains in improving the health and wellbeing of society and family. And once you get these pillar rights, of changing behavior, it is easy to build up the other components of the campaign, she said.

She also said the nationwide campaign will entail mass media, digital media (also suitable for visually and hearing impaired) and targeted community/school engagement activities.

CCSI will be collaborating with the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) pillars in the target states to engage prominent stakeholders in two hot spot LGAs to promote the key behaviours of the campaign to prevent further transmission of the COVID-19.

Head, EU Delegation in Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said that the EU and its member states in Europe had mobilised 38.5 billion euros in response to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

Karlsen, represented by Head of Partnership, EU, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said the union had also supported Nigeria with over four million doses of vaccines and allocated 50 million euros to complement government efforts in addressing COVID-19.

Representative of the five joint UN agencies in Nigeria, Country Representative, UNICEF, Mr Peter Hawkins, urged the media to amplify their voices in the campaign towards eliminating COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawkins, highlighted the three elements in the campaign, which include: mass media on enforcing the messages, educating schools education and community engagement on COVID-19 as the focal points in the campaign.

Also, representing Commissioners of Health in the implementing states, the Ag Sec., Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Mohammed Kawu, pledged their support towards curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, also stressed the need for social behaviour change to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abari, while urging the media to create more awareness on the pandemic, encouraged Nigerians to access only credible information on COVID-19 from reliable sources.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration and unveiling of the project was done by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by the DG, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Other highlights of the events included the inauguration of an educational entertainment campaign by Nigeria music artists, Teni and a presentation by students of LightForce Scholars Academy International, Abuja.

Also, the campaign is also featuring a unique Super Hero, Captain Bubbles for young children to promote the habit of hand washing and other key hygiene practices with an animated video and theme song. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Liverpools late-season charge continued as they moved into the English Premier Leagues top four thanks to a 3-0 win away at Burnley.

The Reds claimed a fourth successive win to further boost their hopes of sealing UEFA Champions League qualification.

Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Phillips got goals either side of halt-time atTurf Moor to set them on the road to victory.

Jurgen Klopps side had needed a last-gaspwinner from goalkeeper Alisson to beat West Brom on Sunday.

But there was no need for any late drama this time, with substituteAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain firing in a late third.

The hard-fought result sees them leapfrog Leicester City on goal difference.

It then means victory on the final dayat Anfield on Sunday against Crystal Palace will see them in Europes premier club competition next season.

Liverpool had been wasteful in a first half that appeared set to end scoreless until Firmino popped up in the 43rd minute, providing the finishing touch to Andy Robertsons cut-back cross.

The Brazilian was one of those to miss a clear opportunity as the visitors too often failed to trouble full debutant Will Norris in the Burnley goal.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were also guilty of failing to hit the target, while Thiago Alcantara dragged wide.

Phillips had seemingly missed his chance to score a maiden goal for the club when blazing over before the break.

But he made no mistake when getting his head on the end of Manes inviting cross seven minutes into the second half.

The defender used his head to good effect inside his own penalty area as Burnley pushed hard for a response, retreating onto the line to prevent James Tarkowskis set-piece header going in.

Instead, it was Liverpool who grabbed the third goal of the game.

Oxlade-Chamberlain thrashed in a left-footed drive just seven minutes after coming on as Norris was beaten at the near post.

Source: NAN News

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) retained their Coupe de France crown as Kylian Mbappe turned in a star display in a 2-0 win over Monacoat the Stade de France.

Without the suspended Neymar, PSG relied on Mbappe in Paris and the former Monaco prodigy delivered with an assist for Mauro Icardis opener before rounding off the win himself late on.

Trailing from the 19th minute, Monaco huffed and puffed, but the closest Niko Kovacs team came to an equaliser was when Gelson Martins deflected cross clipped the crossbar.

Monacos defeat in their first appearance in a Coupe de France final in 11 years was sealedwith nine minutes remaining, Mbappe dinking home to seal PSGs 14thtriumph in the competition.

Neymar may have been missing for Mauricio Pochettinos side, but PSGs other key manwas at the heart of theiropener.

Having pounced on Axel Disasis heavy touch following a goal-kick, Mbappe kept his cool to teeup Icardi for a simple finish into an empty net.

Alessandro Florenzi drew a save out ofRadoslaw Majecki as PSG pressed for a second, though Keylor Navas had to smother Kevin Vollands headerat the other end.

Wissam Ben Yedder will be at Euro 2020 after another excellent season, but the France forward - and Monacos talisman - was replaced after an hour.

This was without him having registered a shot as PSG continued to keep Kovacs men at arms length.

Fortune was on PSGs side with 20 minutes remaining - Gelsons cross, which took a deflection, hitting the woodworkafter looping over Navas.

Krepin Diatta snatched at an effort from inside the area, though Monaco looked short of ideas.

Moments after striking the bar with a long-range chip, Mbappe made sure of the win when he raced onto Angel Di Marias pass and lofted in a neatfinish.

Source: NAN News

By Hussaina Yakubu

Gov. Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has identified taxation as one of the ways to raise revenue to effectively run government and provide social services to the people.

El Rufai who made this known at the Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation on Wednesday, also raised ideas for efficient tax collection in Nigeria.

He lamented that Nigerias Tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is something in the region of 6 per cent to 7 per cent; one of the lowest in the world, compared to countries that collect up to 20 per cent of GDP.

In Kaduna state with a GDP of about N2 trillion, we should be collecting about N400 billion per annum as taxation.

Unfortunately last year, we collected slightly above N50 billion, 1/8th of what we should be collecting. That means that there is a lot of work to be done, he said.

El Rufai pointed out that the situation in Kaduna state is similar to the rest of the country, adding that it is worse in most states.

The governor urged the institute to help resolve the issue of revenue collection through taxation, considering dwindling oil revenue.

Most countries are planning for a green economy in which oil will not be used at all.

So, we must begin to move away from oil. Oil is neither the answer nor the question that will solve our problems.

The real solution to our problems is better and efficient taxation of goods and services.

In the light of the fact that 75 per cent of Nigerias economy is informal, how do we scale up the taxation of the informal sector? I think some progress has been made with Presumptive Taxation, but it is not enough.

Agriculture accounts for a large proportion of our GDP. Here in Kaduna state, like any state in the federation, agriculture is the largest employer of labour and the largest contributor to GDP, but it is incapable of being taxed at the farm gate.

How do we tax agricultural production at the farm gate, not at the value-added and processing stage, so that we will be able to widen and broaden our tax net as well as proceeds, he said.

He urged government to scale up its tax identification records so as to capture every adult in Nigeria for the purpose of taxation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikuru Lizzy
Rivers State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has restated its commitment to safety as it joined in the United Nations Road Safety Week, tagged Street For Life.

The commands Sector Commander, Corps Commander Salisu Galadunci, stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the state office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Port Harcourt.

Galadunci said the annual global ceremony, which started on Monday, was programmed by the United Nations as part of efforts toward reducing road traffic crashes.

The United Nations (UN) has rolled out this years programme, Street for Life, to effectively promote public enlightenment on safe roads.

As part of the commands contributions we will be visiting public loading bays, motor garages and religious centres to educate the populace on the UN street for life advisory.

The idea behind the street for life campaign is about inter-agency collaboration in promoting urban mobility, aimed at ensuring that drivers drive at a speed of 30km per hour within built-up areas, he said.

The FRSC boss noted that Port Harcourt harboured some very high density areas, hence the need to enlighten drivers on global best practices of driving in such sensitive areas.

This has become necessary to prevent accidents on children, older persons and persons with disabilities living in such areas, he said.

He added that the command, within available means, would mobilise its Special Marshals, the National Youth Service Corps members in the command, Road Safety Officers Wives Association and other partners for the campaign.

These partners in conjunction with officers of the command will visit all central motor garages and loading bays to sensitise drivers, who in course of their routine journey, are bound to cross several cities and towns, hence the need for adherence to this life saving advisory, he added.

Responding, Dr Lawrence Boms, Country Head and Representative of UNITAR, said the institute was very interested in promoting better driving culture through collaboration with the FRSC.

Of course, this is the sixth edition of this programme and the theme, Street for Life is timely. We will ensure that we collaborate with Rivers Command to achieve set goals on better driving culture.

The call to reducing speed to 30km per hour in high density areas is very necessary. If Nigerians obey this advisory, a lot of road accidents will be averted, he said.

The UN country representative, however, expressed concerns over poor consequences for offenders who disobey traffic laws.

He also noted the cordial relationship existing between UNITAR and the FRSC.

Weve in the past conducted lots of training for officers in Lagos; we would, at the state level, love to collaborate with Rivers Command.

We would mop up some funds from within the UN system to support programmes of the FRSC that have direct impact on the people, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to Prof. Felicia Adedoyin, professor of Education and composer of the National Pledge, saying her patriotic fervour will be remembered anytime the national pledge is recited.

The president stated this in a condolence message released by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday,

According to him, the thoughtful and solemn words of the National Pledge by the iconic composer, have become an invocation to every citizen of the country to serve our fatherland with faithfulness, loyalty and honesty.

The president maintained that Nigerians would continue to honour the memory of this legend who in 33 words gave us a timeless promise to keep for the nation.

He extended his commiseration to the Adedoyin family, friends and associates as well as the Government and people of Oyo State on the passing of the academic and writer.

He said Adedoyins immense works would remain indelible in our minds.

The president prayed Almighty God to grant the departed eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Tijjani

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has suspended its five days warning strike against the Kaduna State Government over the disengagement of workers in the state.

The President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba announced the suspension of the strike on Wednesday in Kaduna at a press conference after hours of the days procession.

Wabba said that the suspension was to pave way for negotiation as requested by the Federal Government

As you are aware, we have been in Kaduna for the past four days for our declared protest and industrial action against the sack of workers enmass without following due process as provided by the Labour law.

This action was successful and we tried to maintain procedures of industrial action.

This afternoon an official letter was communicated to the NLC national headquarters signed by the Minister of Labour, he said.

Wabba noted that the Federal Executive Council meeting had earlier called for intervention on the protest, for both parties to discuss the issues at stake.

We will honour the meeting as scheduled for tomorrow at 11:a.m. The labour leaders in Kaduna will also be present because they have the substance of the issues in the state, he said.

Wabba further said that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC would be held at the Labour House in Abuja on May 21, to review the warning action that was prosecuted in Kaduna state and determine further action.

It is the commitment of the organs that once we are able to prosecute the first phase, we must then consult the organ to go ahead, he said.

Wabba said that in the course of going further to facilitate dialogue, the NLC had suspended the strike immediately.

He thanked all their members in the state and affiliate unions for giving effect to the decision of the NEC.

He also thanked the citizens of Kaduna state, saying we now have seen their positive comments.

Even those that are hired to protest today were not informed on the reason to protest.

When they realised they were sent to protest against the protest of workers rights, they outrightly stated that that was not the purpose for which they were hired, Wabba said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna State Government saysbandits have killed eight residents and razed buildings in Chikun Local Government Area ofthe state.

The Commissioner forInternal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Aruwan said: Security agencies have reported that bandits attacked Ungwan Gaida community, near Kurmin Kaso, Chikun Local Government Area.

As of the time of this update, eight residents have been confirmed killed in this attack.

According to him, a worship centre was razed by the bandits, along with several houses.

In another development, the Nigerian Navy troops stationed in the Kujama General Area neutralised three bandits and arrested two accomplices after repelling an attack on Wakwodna community, near Kasso village, Chikun Local Government Area.

According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State government, the troops stationed at the Kujama Checkpoint responded to reports of an attack on Wakwodna village, and swiftly deployed for intervention.

He explained that the bandits fled into surrounding bush on sighting the troops and abandoned some rustled cattle, which were rounded up and returned to their rightful owners.

The troops engaged the bandits just before Kaso village and in the gunfight, three bandits were neutralised.

Two locals who were injured in the exchange were evacuated for medical attention, the commissioner said.

Aruwan said: during the operation, the troops arrested a suspected bandits informant, Kapido Halilu and a logistics supplier, Umar Maipashi.

Food and medical supplies meant for the bandits were confiscated. The suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.

The Commissioner said that Gov Nasiru el-Rufai noted the report of the attack on Ungwan Gaida with sadness, and condoled with the families of the slain citizens.

The governor further condemned the attack on the place of worship, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to carry out an urgent assessment of the damage in the area for intervention.

el-Rufai commended the Nigerian Navy troops for their swift response in Wakwodna and the successful operations, Aruwan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News