By Leonard Okachie

An Anglican Archbishop, Most Rev. Isaac Nwobia, has urged the Federal Government to convene a national dialogue to address issues of security in the country.

Nwobia, who is the Archbishop/Bishop of Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South (Aba Province), made the call during the 4th Synod of the diocese at St. Peters Cathedral Owerrinta, Abia on Thursday.

The theme of the 2021 Synod is Discipleship : An Imperative for Churchmanship.

The archbishop, while speaking with newsmen during the opening session of the Synod, said that national dialogue was important , as communication gap could be responsible for some of the present challenges being experienced.

The president should summon us, either as a meeting or a confab, so that people can say why they are annoyed.

The solution should be that we need to sit down, dialogue and sort things out, he said.

He condemned the destructions of some of the nations security facilities.

If we destroy the things that guard us, what will be our gain?? What will be the future of this country?, he queried.

The cleric said that the church would use the four-day Synod to deliberate on the security and pray for peace and unity of the nation.

Also, the Bishop of Umuahia Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, said that people in leadership were disconnected from the upcoming generations.

Ibeabuchi, during his sermon on discipleship , advised leaders to serve and lead.

According to him, that way, they youth will emulate them for the good of the nation.

He called on Christians to embark on adequate discipleship as a means of fulfilling Christs great commission. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos State Government says its World Bank-assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project will construct 13.16km Farm Access Roads (FARs) in four cluster areas.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said this on Thursday during the activities to commemorate the second year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olus administration.

Olusanya noted that the four farm cluster areas were Igbodu in Epe, Araga also in Epe, Erinkorodo in Ikorodu and Afowo in Badagry.

She said the access roads when completed would ensure smooth movement to and fro the farms.

Olusanya added that it would reduce losses encountered by egg farmers as a result of the bad road.

The commissioner said it would also improve productivity of the concerned farmers.

She said the evaluation and engineering design for the four roads had since been finalised and construction would commence immediately.

APPEALS Project is a World Bank-assisted project aimed at enhancing the productivity of small scale farmers in the three identified value chains of poultry, aquaculture and rice through capacity building, provision of infrastructure and empowerment.

The project will be rehabilitating and constructing 13.16Km farm access roads already identified in four different clusters across the state.

The design of the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation for the four FARs is at final report stage.

The advertisement for potential contractors and subsequent implementation will be carried out once the work plan is approved by the governor, she said.

According to Olusanya, 1,621 regular beneficiaries under the Projects Women and Youth Empowerment Programme (WYEP) has been trained in agribusiness management and other soft skills within the last two years.

Of the number, 462 have received No Objections on their Business Investment Plans and are presently implementing their projects.

Other beneficiaries will equally be supported before the end of the year, she said.

Olusanya added that the APPEALS project had equally identified and verified 9,942 farmers and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, while 8,156 of them had received at least one form of training in relevant areas of agribusiness.

She said this was with a view to enhancing their agricultural productivity and improving value addition.

Olusanya noted that no fewer than 460 beneficiaries were sponsored for training, workshop and conferences out of which 425 of them were farmers.

A cluster of fish farmers at Badagry have adopted the production of fish crackers and fish cakes.

Over 1,000 packs (696 Kg) of fish fillet and crackers had been produced and sold during the period under review.

Use of nets for the control of birds in rice farming had since been adopted by our farmers.

Over 100 rice farmers in Ganyingbo, Badagry are presently trying this technology with other agronomic practices learnt through the state collaboration with AfricaRice, IITA, Ibadan, Olusanya said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Bello

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, has urged parents to monitor their children and inculcate good societal values in them to maintain peace and security in the country.

The emir, who is also the Chairman, Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, stated this in his Sallah speech shortly after the completion of two rakaat prayers at Eid prayer ground in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

He said that most of the criminalities being perpetrated in the society could be traced to indiscipline and bad societal values.

Bashar, who advised Muslims to imbibe lessons learnt in the holy month of Ramadan, identified the absence of discipline in children and greed as factors responsible for rising cases of insecurity.

Parents should always look after their children; the discipline of our children should always be our watchword, he advised.

The royal father also expressed dismay at the high level of idleness in the society and advised the populace to engage in skill acquisitions to reduce overdependence on government jobs.

The emir prayed for the restoration of peace and unity in the country and enjoined the public to always observe COVID-19 protocols during and after the sallah period. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has granted freedom to 123 prison inmates across the state.

Ganduje, who witnessed the release of the inmates from Goron Dutse Prison on Thursday, said the gesture was in the spirit of the Eid-El Fitr celebration.

He said the beneficiaries were selected based on the gravity of offences and signs of reformation while in prison.

The governor said that the decision to visit the prison was to show the inmates that the state government was aware of their existence and that they were also regarded as citizens of the state.

Ganduje said that the gesture was to complement the Federal Governments efforts to further reduce congestion in the nations prisons.

He advised the ex-inmates to change their attitudes to life and pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

The governor also gave each of the freed inmates N5,000 as transport fare to their various destination.

Earlier, the Comptroller of Prisons in Kano, Suleiman Suleiman, thanked the governor for freeing thousands of inmates since his coming into office.

Suleiman advised the freed inmates to stay off crime to avoid going back to prison.

Ganduje also visited remand homes and Kano childrens home in the metropolis as part Sallah celebration. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Cole

Sheikh Nurudeen Kadiri, the Chief Imam, Sideeqot Megida Central Mosque, Ikorodu, has urged Nigerians to extend the unity and tolerance learnt during the Ramadan period to avoid ethnic attack in the country.

Kadiri made the appeal after the Eid-el-Fitri prayer in Ikorodu, Lagos on Thursday.

He advised Nigerians to always remember God (Allah) in all their decisions, which, he said, would go a long way in bringing an end to ethnic discrimination.

We should love our neighbours as we love ourselves. If we try to imbibe all the good virtues we exhibited in the Ramadan, all the ethnic attacks will stop.

If we try to imbibe the virtue of Ramadan that you see your fellow human being as your brother, I hope and pray that Nigeria will be better for it.

Those who are advancing ethnicity should fear God and they should remember that we are from the same parents, Adam and Hawa (Eve).

Remember the people of Bosnia and Rwanda; up till this present time, they are still counting their losses, Kadiri said.

According to him, Nigerian leaders should uphold the virtue of justice and when there is justice, there will be peace in Nigeria.

The chief imam, however, urged Muslims to continue to carry over all the virtues learnt during Ramadan to all levels of government.

A Retired Civil Servant, Alhaja Risikat Adesina in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), appreciated God for seeing her through the 30-day fasting and prayed for peace to reign in the country.

Also, a Businessman, Mr Abdul-Lateef Lawal, urged the government to look into the high cost of living and to improve on security in the country.

Meanwhile, a student, Aliyah Cole, advised government to look into the issue of power supply to enable students read at night. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC) says passage of the Diaspora Voting Bill into law will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute significantly to Nigerias governance and economic development.

The councils Secretary, Mr Tolu Oluwatuyi, gave the assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He noted that the bill had passed the second reading at the National Assembly.

If there exists any wish by the over 17 million Nigerians outside the shores of the country for their fatherland, it is the long-awaited franchise to be granted by Nigeria National Assembly that will enable them participate in the countrys electioneering process without being physically present.

The yearnings are age-long, the advocacy has been running for over a decade, he said.

Oluwatuyi said that much commitment, resources, time and energy had been deployed for the actualisation of the dream in the past three years.

According to him, this renewed zeal and vigour to see that the bill is passed into law is being championed by the councils leadership which left no stone unturned.

He said the council under the chairmanship of Mr Ade Omole had recorded tremendous progress on the matter.

He said that the council would not relent until full ralisation of the goal, adding that engagements regarding the bill were still ongoing.

Oluwatuyi said the efforts were to ensure that millions of Nigerians resident in different countries could participate in electioneering processes of their fatherland.

The secretary called for more support and cooperation in ensuring passage of the bill in the interest of the country.

He said that the passage into law, by the National Assembly, would improve Nigerias political architecture.

The task has been herculean and faced with many bottlenecks, but all of these are not insurmountable with determination.

Many hurdles have been crossed and many limits broken, what we have ahead may not be as daunting as what we already sailed through.

It is our sincere hope that the Red Sea will be crossed because the council remains firm and resolute to give its all.

For the council, it is no retreat, no surrender, Oluwatuyi stressed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of the former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro.

The president made his feelings known in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday.

He described the demise of Dogonyaro as a great loss not only to the Nigerian military, but also to the country because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of its unity and territorial integrity.

He said: The death of Dogonyaro comes as a great shock to me because as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country, he said.

The president further described Dogonyaro as a thoroughbred soldier who had professionally distinguished himself in the course of his military career.

Laying down ones life for the country is one of the greatest sacrifices any citizen can make to his country.

Gen. Dogonyaros incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come.

Buhari also extended deepest condolences to the Government and people of Plateau State on the passing of this legendary general.

He prayed almighty God to bless the soul of the departed and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports thatGen. Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on Sept. 12, 1940, in Vom, Plateau State, though a native of Taroh in Langtang North Local Government Area.

Dogonyaro had his early education at Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, and thereafter was enlisted in the Nigerian Army, 1964.

He was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967; Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron, NA, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main), N, 1969 to 1970.

The late general became Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, NA, 1970 to 1972; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, NA., 1972 to 1976.

He was appointed Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976 to 1977; Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, NA., 1977-79.

Between 1984 and 1985, he was made the Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, A Branch, N.A and Director of Armoury, 1985.

He was also the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, N.A, Jos, 1985 to 1987; mm: Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, N.A, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993;

Dogonyaro attended also the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos and obtained National Institute (mni) in addition to the Staff College (Psc) and Forces Service Star (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday, provided solar-powered boreholes to two Enugu communities after 11 years of fetching water from locally constructed wells.

Ugwuanyi inaugurated the two solar-powered boreholes and 20,000-litre capacity storage tanks at Nduno-Uwani Akpugo autonomous community and Ndiagu-Uwani Akpugo autonomous community in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Manfred Nzekwe, said that the projects were a direct and quick intervention to alleviate the age-long suffering of the people.

According to him, this is a way the government demonstrates its concern for development and well being of rural areas especially for the benefits of the downtrodden in both communities.

I want to thank both communities for their unrelenting effort in supporting my administration.

My administration acknowledges your massive and en-block vote to the PDP and your continuous prayer for the success of my administration.

I have heard other requests of the communities and I am assuring that it will be given due attention according to available financial resources, he said.

The governor did not state the amount involved in the projects.

What is necessary is the thousands of people in the eight villages in both communities the projects will benefit, he said.

Speaking, Mr Johnpaul Anih, Special Assistant to Gov. Ugwuanyi on Youth Affair, appreciated Ugwuanyi for approving and directing the immediate construction of the projects within few weeks.

Anih, who is an indigene of one of the communities, thanked the people of both communities for cooperating with the government and contractor to finish the projects in record time.

He, however, appealed to the state government to assist in the construction of rural roads in the communities, adding that the residents were yearning for ring road that would connect all the villages.

The governor should consider converting one of our primary schools into a secondary school to save our children from trekking long distance (or exorbitant daily transport fare) to secondary schools in neighbouring big towns, he appealed.

Responding, Igwe Innocent Ogbodo, the Traditional Ruler of Ndiagu-Uwani Akpugo autonomous community, appreciated Ugwuanyi and their son, Anih, for alleviating the age-long suffering of the people.

Ogbodo, who spoke on behalf of both autonomous communities, assured that the projects would be protected from vandals and criminals.

We will use our local vigilantes, hunters and even the forest guards to ensure no one vandalises these projects, the traditional ruler said after the projects were handled over to the communities.

A resident of Nduno-Uwani autonomous community, Ma Patience Okenwa, thanked the governor for making life easy for her and her entire household with the provision of the solar-powered bore-hole. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc shareholders have approved the groups 2020 annual accounts and commended the board and management for sustained profitability in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shareholders gave the commendation at the companys 2020 Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday by proxy in Lagos due to coronavirus.

The shareholders at the meeting also approved the recommended dividend of 25k per 50k ordinary share declared by the company for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2020.

They applauded the nanks resilience in these times and its focus on sustaining shareholder value.

Addressing the shareholders at the meeting, Mrs Hamza Bassey, the banks Chairman, highlighted key achievements of the bank in 2020.

Bassey said the bank during the period focused on digital innovation for high-quality service delivery across touch points.

Our commitment to delivering high quality earnings remains unwavering.

I am pleased to announce that the bank delivered a resilient set of results in 2020 notwithstanding the challenging macroeconomic operating environment.

Our overall performance demonstrates our resilience and ability to adapt to the constantly changing business environment to maximise shareholder returns.

We remain committed to delivering value to our shareholders as we continue to drive growth and protability of our business, she said.

Also speaking, the banks Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emeka Okonkwo, said that the company delivered strong performance in spite of the headwinds caused by the pandemic.

In 2020, despite the headwinds caused by the pandemic, Union Bank continued to deliver a strong performance that has enabled the Board of Directors propose a dividend payment for the second consecutive year.

This indicates resilience and affirms the strong foundation that was rebuilt over the past eight years.

As we begin a new chapter, we will continue the journey to becoming a leading financial institution in Nigeria.

Sustaining value to our shareholders remains at the core of our continuous drive and we remain committed to delivering improved profitability and higher returns in 2021 and beyond, Okonkwo said.

He added that the bank would continue to execute its strategy to achieve the vision of being Nigerias most reliable and trusted partner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the banks profit before tax grew by 2.8 per cent to N25.4 billion from N24.7 billion posted in the comparative period of 2019.

Customer deposits also increased by 27.6 per cent to N1.13 trillion compared with N886.3 billion in 2019.

The increase in customer deposits reflects the banks agility in delivering a compelling range of products to its customers during the pandemic and increased adoption of digital channels.

Similarly, non-performing loans ratio reduced to four per cent from 5.8 per cent in 2019, driven by a disciplined recoveries strategy, robust loan book and key restructurings to support customers during the pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has advised that Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James (alias Baba Ijesha), should be charged with child molestation.

According to a statement signed by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, a prima-facie case has been established against the actor.

After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the DPP issued legal advice on the 4th of May, 2021, to the effect that a prima-facie case has been disclosed against Mr Olanrewaju James, and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015:

Section 135 Indecent Treatment of a Child punishable by seven years imprisonment; Section 137 Defilement of a Child punishable with life imprisonment.

Section 261 Sexual Assault by Penetration punishable by life imprisonment; Section 262 Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration punishable by 14 years imprisonment, and Section 263 Sexual Assault punishable by three years imprisonment, the attorney-general said.

He said that the state would ensure that James rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution would be upheld.

Onigbanjo said that Lagos State Ministry of Justice would not relent in efforts to ensure that sexual abuse of any resident of the state would be punished.

It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in its efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society.

Since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has, till date, prosecuted over 800 cases of sexual and domestic offences.

The attorney-general hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that, in accordance with the DPPs advice, charges would be filed accordingly, he said.

NAN reports that the police arrested James for alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

On April 30, the police forwarded the case file to the DPP for legal advice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News