By Deji Abdulwahab

The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre has advocated value reorientations in the fight against insecurity in the country.

The Director-General of the centre, Mr Jonah Bawa, said this in Abuja on Monday at a news conference in commemorating of the 70th Anniversary of the centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre which is now a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was established in 1951.

Bawa, who said the centre assisted in training military and paramilitary personnel, recalled that it also trained 5,000 civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) from the North East two years ago.

He added that the training was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

If you go by the nature of our training programme, we do value reorientation and mindset change, trying to change the mindset of people particularly the youths through value reorientation.

If you look at the values that we have in our training, the value is to help people to be good citizens.

Those involve in vices such as banditry and kidnapping should imbibe value reorientation.

So, as we start imbibing these virtues as individuals and communities, people will automatically become good citizens, the director-general said.

According to him, there are three types of citizens: good citizens, bad citizens and passive ones.

So, our desire is to ensure that every Nigerian aspires to be good citizen by doing those good things that will make a good nation.

We also assist military and paramilitary by way of training. In the past two years, the UNDP brought 5,000 civilian JTF from North East specifically from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

We trained them and the training is still ongoing and you know that civilian JTF are ones that are helping military to fight the war. These are some of the areas where we are coming in, Bawa said.

He recalled that about six years ago, the centre reformed political thugs brought for training by Gombe state government.

The director-general added that it also facilitated the engagement of some men of the Man O War by the Oyo state government to assist in the fight against insecurity in the state.

According to him, our mandate is to instill leadership values for good citizens and responsible leaders.

We have been training citizens for the past 70 years.

The centre is training in self discovery; it is a short term but very intensive training that we allow people to pass through.

At the end, they come up with some values that will help them in their personal lives, institutional life and also as good citizens.

Some of these values we teach people are value of integrity, value of selfless service, value of team work, value of courage.

What makes this centre to be unique is that our training is practical in nature. Whatever we teach, we practicalise it.

That is why today If you ask anybody who attendd our training 60 years ago, he would always remember the experience he had with us.

We always leave participants a lasting impact and that is what we have been doing and that is what we continue to do.

The training is for all Nigerians and you will all agree with me that the strength and weakness of any nation depend on the characters of the citizens.

These are the values that we teach people to be good citizens and responsible leaders. So, every Nigerian is eligible to attend our programmes

Because we have the executive courses, senior courses, intermediate courses and we also have specialized course for women and youths, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

Some suspected gunmen on early hours of Monday set ablaze the Ubakala Divisional Police Station in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia and killed two policemen.

The spokesman for the Police Command in Abia, SP Godfrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

Ogbonna said the hoodlums attacked the station around 12.10 a.m., with explosives.

According to him, the operatives, who were deployed to reinforce security at the station, tried to repel the assailants.

In the process, we lost two of our men, he said, pointing out that the number of the attackers had yet to be ascertained.

A resident of the area who spoke anonymously, said the midnight attack caused serious panic among residents of the community.

We were asleep when suddenly we began to hear serious gunshots.

Everybody in my house was woken up by the sound and then came an explosion, followed by fire, the eyewitness said.

NAN reports that gunmen have recently carried out successful attacks on police stations in Aba, Isialangwa, Uzuakoli and Nkporo.

They also attacked the offices of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Independent National Electoral Commission in Ohafia.

Meanwhile, police said no arrest had been made but that full investigations were ongoing to get the perpetrators of the attacks, which had left many of its men either dead or with gunshot wounds. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Bashir

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa Command, says it has recovered the body of an abandoned baby from a waste disposal site in Dutse.

The Public Relations Officer of corps in the state, Mr Adamu Shehu, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday.

Shehu said that the body was discovered by scavengers at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Takur site quarters.

He said: On Sunday, May 16, 2021 at about 1030hrs, I personally received a phone call from my plumber who lives in Tukur site, Dutse, that what looked like a dead and abandoned baby neatly packaged in a sack was discovered by a group of boys while scavenging at a waste disposal site.

Immediately, the NSCDC response team was mobilised to the scene and on arrival, it was discovered that part of the baby was already consumed by fire that was burning at the dump site.

The babys body was handed over to the ward head of the area, Malam Bashir Tukur Jinjiri, for burial after due consultations.

He said that no arrest had been made in connection with crime.

He, however, added that the command had begun thorough investigation with a view to arresting the perpetrators.

At present, no one has been arrested in connection with the crime.

The NSCDC state commandant, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, has strongly condemned the dastardly act, and has given directive for a thorough investigation to fish out the culprit. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Chief Fire Officer of Enugu State, Mr Okwudili Ohaa, said timely intervention of Fire Service saved INEC headquarters from burning down completely.

Ohaa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that five INEC operational vehicles were completely burnt and one was partially burnt.

NAN reports that fire, whose cause is yet to be identified, broke out at the INEC headquarters in Enugu, located at No. 1 Achi Street, Independent Layout, at about 9:30 p.m.

He said that fire-fighters from the states fire service were able to put off the fire at about 10:30 p.m.

Our timely intervention saved INEC headquarters Enugu from burning completely.

We were able to quench the fire immediately as it tried to spread to the main building of the INEC Headquarters.

It only gutted two seats, probably visitors seats at the corridors upstairs, he said.

Earlier, the states Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, told NAN at about 11p.m. on Sunday that he was on ground and taking control of the efforts to put off the fire.

Several calls made to INEC officials, especially the states Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), his deputies as well as INEC state Public Relations Officer was not answered.

NAN recalls that on May 13, there was a fire outbreak at the INEC area office located at Orba community in Udenu Local Government Area of the state at about 9:40 p.m, which police are currently investigating. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has said that building sustainable World Peace would require promoting the culture of tolerance, inclusion and reconciliation.

In a statement by the UN Office in Nigeria to commemorate the, Kallon said that the values which he identified were necessary ingredients to foster World Peace.

The UN chief, who said that the International Day had been marked since 2017, pointed out that living together in peace was all about accepting differences, embracing diversity, and having the ability to listen to, respect and understand each other.

Since 2017 we have been marking this International Day on May 16 and using the opportunity to promote a culture of tolerance, inclusion, and reconciliation.

It is upon these foundational values that we can build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony.

The need to Live Together in Peace is a notion at the very core of the United Nations. In fact, it is present in the very first line of the UN Charter, he said.

He said that the Charter which was written in 1945 amid the ashes of the World War II depicts the UN as the embodiment of the collective desire of the international community to live together in peace.

Kallon said that the charter reads in part: We the peoples of the UN determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.

Today, this idea is embedded in the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The global pandemic and its economic aftershocks have only reinforced how interconnected we all are, living together in a global village.

Peace, prosperity and planet are three links in the same chain, he said.

The UN Chief in Nigeria, thereforeencouraged everyone in Nigeria to be an agent, ambassador and advocate for peace.

Sighting a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. he said: If we are to have peace on earthour loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.

These are words to live by.

This International Day provides a moment to reflect on specific actions that we can take to reach across lines to promote harmony, rapprochement and inclusion.

Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a culture of compassion and a disposition to dialogue, he said.

He urged everyone to extend an olive branch to one person as a gesture to spark the process of reconciliation so that all can find unity in diversity.

He pointed out that a core function of the UN in Nigeria was to support the Nigerian government in attaining the 2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kallon added that the essence of the support was to spur development as there can be no peace without development, and there is no development without peace.

We must act urgently and collectively to build a future for all of us where we can live together in harmony. Lets invest in peace today and reap the dividends tomorrow, he said (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Keffi Chapter has commended Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, Chairman, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd.(PAN) for his contribution towards reducing youths idleness in Nasarawa West Senatorial District through empowerment.

Alhaji Muhammad Idris, the NYCN Chairman, Keffi Chapter, made the commendation when he led a delegation of youths from the Senatorial District to pay a Sallah homage to Wadada, on Sunday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Idris said Wadada, who was a former two term member of the House of Representatives, had been very supportive of youths in the state irrespective of their social status and political affiliation.

The youth leader recalled that Wadada during his two term at the National Assembly secured Federal and private employment to many graduates within and outside his constituency and empowered several women with skills and grants.

Idris also said Wadada even after his tenure at the house of representatives had continued to initiate various empowerment programmes to ensure that youths are engage in meaningful ventures that would take them off the street.

He said that there was no doubt Wadadas efforts at reducing youths idleness had greatly contributed to curtailing restiveness and improve security of lives and properties in Nasarawa.

Similarly, Idris hailed the former lawmakers commitment to sports and tourism develoment in Nasarawa, adding that the Keffi Polo Range established by Wadada had boost tourism in the state.

We are living witness to the fact that during every quarterly Keffi Polo Range tournament people from all the 13 Local Governments and Develoment Areas used to turnout in large number to watch the tournament.

This is a major booster to tourism develoment and sport in Nasarawa because it is the first polo range in the state, Idris said.

Responding, the PAN boss, thanked the leadership and members of the NYCN Keffi Chapter as well as the entire youth of Nasarawa West Senatorial District for acknowledging his efforts on youths empowerment.

Wadada, who noted that addressing youth unemployment was a panacea to curtailing incident of insecurity in every society, assured that he would continue to struggle to secure employment opportunity for the teeming youths in the state.

He enjoined the youth to be law abiding and shun all forms of behaviour that could disrupt peaceful coexistence in the state as well as support the administration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa to succeed.

He disclosed that very soon he would establish tourism village at the Keffi Polo Range to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Keffi and provide employment opportunities for the youth.

Acccording to him, the tourism village will support the Federal Government drive to harnessing tourism potential in Nasarawa. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Bello

The Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ismail Abdulmumin-Kamba, has lauded the Gov. Atiku Bagudu-led administration for completing the 17km road project in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road stretches from Dole Kaina to Tungar Rafi.

Abdulmumin-Kamba, after inspecting the completed road project in Dole Kaina area on Monday, also described it as one of the most important road projects in the state.

According to the speaker, the newly constructed road will promote both commercial and farming activities in the area.

This road project is one important project that is very critical to the socioeconomic lives of the people in this area.

The 17km road constructed at the cost of N1.4 billion is not costly because it includes 40 big culverts capable of discharging large volumes of water, he said.

Also, Gov. Bagudu responding expressed the readiness of his administration to continue to be responsive to the provisions of critical infrastructure in spite of the states dwindling resources.

He commended the contractor for successfully completing the project according to specifications despite the difficult terrain of the area which lies along the River Niger axis.

He also praised the contractor for the quality of job done and completing it within the estimated cost.

The governor also appreciated the leaders and people of the area for their support to his administration and assured them of his readiness to extend the road from Tungar Rafi to Aljannare. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Activities in Kaduna State have been paralised as the five-day warning strike directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over irregular sacking of civil servants began on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) checks revealed that schools, banks and other business premises had been closed.

NAN reports that the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Finance Institutions Employees had directed its members to withdraw banking and insurance services in Kaduna state from Monday 17.

The Zonal State Secretary of the union, Mr Adamu Danladi explained that the directive followed the NLCs warning strike in response to what he described as Gov. El-Rufais anti-workers policies.

He said that the withdrawal of services would continue until otherwise directed by the congress.

Also, while some schools were closed, others were open but only a few teachers, pupils and students were seen hanging around.

Some of the schools visited were Local Education Authority Primary School, Mahuta, Milton College, a private school also at Mahuta, close to Refinery Junction.

Others are Government Junior Secondary School and Government Girls Secondary School all at Independence Way Kaduna.

NAN also reports that most of the shops at the busy Sheikh Mahmood Gumi Market, Ibrahim Taiwo and Kano Roads area of the Kaduna Central Market were under lock and key.

However, few shops and roadside sellers of provisions and other perishable items around the markets were seen selling basic items to residents.

Shops were also locked at the popular Kasuwan Bacci Market, Tudun Wada.

NAN also observed that offices of telecommunication service providers: MTN, Aitel and 9mobile along Yakubu Gowon Way were also shut.

There was also high compliance to the strike action by health facilities in Kaduna as health workers were visibly absent in some of the facilities visited, while others were seen outside in groups discussing the situation.

Patients, including those on admission had been discharged at General Hospital Sabon Tasha, Yusuf Dantsoho General Hospital, Tudun Wada and Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Nasarawa and the hospitals closed.

Primary Health Centres in Kakuri, Nassarawa, Unguwan Yelwa and Sabon Tasha were also closed.

Some of the patients seen outside the hospital appealed to the state government to dialogue with NLC to address grey areas so that patients would be attended to in order to avert preventable deaths. (

Meanwhile, the disconnection of power supply to Kaduna state by electricity workers following the strike had disrupted many businesses and caused water scarcity in the state.

Some residents who spoke to NAN said that the blackout had affected their businesses and living condition.

A businessman, Mr Michael John, said that the power outage had crippled his business, adding that petrol stations have equally joined the strike making it difficult to access petrol to power his generator.

A resident simply identified as Malam Ado pointed out that the masses were always at the receiving end of any industrial action.

As it is now, the elites have alternative power supply while the masses are left in darkness. This is so unfair.

I am appealing to the NLC and the Kaduna State government to resolve the issues as soon as possible so that power and other economic activities will be restored, he said.

Usman Abubakar, another resident said that the power outage had led to water scarcity since on Sunday, adding that most residents had to resort to patronising water vendors.

According to Abubakar, the vendors are selling a 25 litre jerrican at N40 as against the initial price of N20.

Also, Malam Shehu Lawani, a welder said that his business had been crippled and was forced to close shop following the suspension of electricity supply.

Government should do the needful and settle with NLC because this strike is unfair to business owners like myself, he said.

Malama Salamatu, who sells sachet water popularly known as pure water and soft drinks, also counted her losses, saying her sales had drastically reduced since the power outage with no alternative means of cooling her drinks. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Benson Ezugwu

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has introduced a sustainable and affordable Housing Scheme for Civil Servants in the State.

Mrs Geraldine Akpet-Ekanem, the Head of Service (HoS), disclosed this on Monday in Calabar during a meeting with Directors and Heads of Administration in the states Civil Service.

According to her, the meeting was to enable Government gather the needed data for the take-off of the scheme.

We want to ascertain the number of people that are interested to help us determine the actual number of houses to be built,she said.

The HoS said that the governor was committed to the welfare of civil servants in the state and urged them to take advantage of the opportunity to make their retirement worthwhile.

Akpet-Ekanem further disclosed that the housing scheme would include One bedroom, Two bedroom, Three and Four bedroom flats to be situated across the three senatorial districts of the state.

She said that the houses would be built in Yala and Obudu Local Government Areas for the Northern Senatorial District.

Other would be sited in Ikom and Yakurr Local Government Areas for the Central Senatorial District, and Tinapa Road and Jonathan Bypass in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area for the Southern Senatorial District. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The new Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, has pledged to improve consular services particularly to Nigerians and advance trade relations between Nigeria and the host authorities.

Egopija told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Monday that his main priority would be to address consular problems and make consular services friendly to Nigerians and other nationals.

He said Basically, I am not coming up with so many priorities. One is to ensure that services are delivered to all applicants (passport and visa) that will require the services of the consulate.

When I arrived, we had to address the issue of consular problem, such as overcrowded nature of the lobby.

Also to ensure that Nigerians who come in to renew their passports get attended to early enough to reduce the attendance time and also to ensure that they have conducive atmosphere during their period in the mission.

The envoy thanked Nigerians living in the U.S. for their support in relating with the consulate and their useful advice.

He assured them that the consulate was prepared to offer the best services, noting that Nigerians are always willing to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Since my assumption of duty, I have met with some individuals and groups that identify with their homeland and proffering solutions to issues they think needed to be addressed.

They have warmly received me and we have had useful deliberations on how to improve the image of the consulate.

I want to commend the individuals and groups that I have met; we will do everything possible to ensure that Nigerians get the best services from the consulate, he said.

In addition, he said the consulate would be having quarterly town hall meetings to brief Nigerians on its activities.

The envoy said the town hall meeting would serve as feedback mechanism, noting that the first quarterly will be in July.

NAN reports that Egopija took over on April 30 from Amb. Benaoyagha Okoyen, who is currently Nigerias Ambassador to Cuba.

Edopija joined the Nigerian diplomatic corps in 1993 and had held various posts and positions in Nigeria and abroad.

He has served at the Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in Austria, Embassy of Nigeria, Jakarta, Indonesia and Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York. (NAN)

Source: NAN News