By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences over the death of the former Grand Khadi of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmad Rufai Ibrahim.

In a condolence message by his Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday, Buhari described late Ibrahim as a great religious scholar and jurist who left an untainted record of integrity.

He said: The late Grand Khadi was a man of sterling virtues who did his job with the fear of God and dispensed justice impartially.

The president stated that being a judge is a litmus test of a mans integrity and Im proud to say that the late Ahmad Rufai Ibrahim passed this test during his brilliant career in the judiciary.

While extending his condolences to family members and the Bauchi State Government, Buhari prayed to Allah to grant the deceased paradise for his good deeds and forgive his shortcomings. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria (FHIN), an NGO, has urged the National Assembly to pass the Nigeria Food Safety and Hygiene Surveillance Corps Bill into law to promote food safety and job creation.

The Director-General of the organisation, Dr Jonah Karimu made the call at the closing of a three-day training of 10th Batch of over 400 participants on food safety and hygiene organised by FHIN in Abuja.

Karimu expressed satisfaction over the progress of the bill which has passed second reading, adding that if finally passed, it would go a long way to address poor food handling especially in rural communities.

According to him, the recent deaths in Kano as a result of food poisoning, could be prevented from reoccurring in other states of the federation if the bill is passed into law.

Karimu added that its implementation would also bring about job creation and safe food consumption in the country.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to ensure proper food handling and hygienic food consumption to help promote food safety and healthy living in the country.

He said that the organisation was not aimed at duplicating the work of NAFDAC, SON and other health agencies, but rather to complement their efforts.

According to him, it will act as sister agency strictly on handling raw and cooked food especially at the rural communities.

All food vendors in the country should be registered and captured in a database, so that whenever there is a case of food poisoning, it will be easy to dictate which vendor prepared the food.

Our fight against food and water borne diseases is making progress as we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Katsina State Ministry of health in this regard.

As we await the report from the committee on Health Care Services, we humbly call on the Government and policy makers to look at the various benefits the country stands to gain if the bill is finally passed.

It is necessary we have an agency responsible for regulating, supervising, training and issuing license to persons participating in raw and cooked food handling business to prevent deaths as result to food poisoning, he said.

The D-G said that food safety had become a dominant factor in governance due to its effects on public health, agriculture, trade and investment, poverty, hunger and tourism.

Karimu said that foods borne ailments had become a global phenomena affecting billions of people who suffered from diseases caused by contaminated and poorly cultivated, handled, processed or cooked food along the supply chain.

However, he maintained that the organisation was also saddled with the responsibility of educating consumers and food handlers on the importance of food safety and hygiene in line with pronouncement from WHO.

This organisation has been aggressively promoting food hygiene standards and practices all over the nation with a specific mandate of ensuring good food for better health.

The importance of this training cannot be over emphasised and our organisation is dedicated to education and training of food handlers, food operators as well as food administration to apply the best hygiene in Nigeria.

We trained them as food hygiene officers to go to the field and educate food vendors and consumers on the dangers of consuming unhygienic food.

The opportunity has exposed the trained participants to a knowledge that would enable them assist health workers in adopting modern techniques of food preservation to reduce food poisoning in the country, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants, recruited from all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, would serve as food safety and hygiene surveillance corps for the organisation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ebere Agozie

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards return of looted Nigerian assets kept outside the country.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, made this known in a statement issued by Dr Umar Gwandu, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations on Monday in Abuja.

Any moment from now, Nigeria will get the return of the 4.2 million pounds seized from the associates of convicted former Governor of Delta, James Ibori.

Sometimes when a country transfers funds, it may take a little more time than expected due to some documentations.

My office and other relevant government agencies will keep the public informed once the Ibori loot is received and confirmed.

He said the federal government is in touch with the government of the United Kingdom on the matter.

Documentations with the banks in different countries often take longer than expected. We anticipated two weeks but we are not in control of the banks, he said.

Malami maintained that the government is working assiduously to make sure that the transfer goes through successfully.

There is neither complacency nor undue delay as efforts are being made to ensure successful transfer of the funds, he assured. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Organised Labour says Nigerian workers are opposed to any reform that seeks to scrap the local government system from the Constitution.

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, said this on Monday in Abuja, in a statement, he jointly signed with President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Quadri Olaleye.

It is unfortunate that in spite of the plague of insecurity confronting our country, some politicians are working hard to scrap the local government system.

Organised labour rejects such plans and warns that it would only aggravate the current security challenges in our country.

The absence of services and gainful employment at the very nucleus of economic activities in Nigeria is only an open invitation to apocalypse.

Instead of scrapping the local government councils, we call on government to improve access to local economic centres, he said.

He also urged political leaders to adopt measures to strengthen the structures and operations of local councils in the country through the guarantee of their full autonomy.

He said that the struggle for judicial autonomy had remained a mirage due to the indifference of state governors.

Come to think of it, what other reasons could they give for not allowing the three arms of government to function autonomously if not for ease of corruption?

It has become a case of he who pays the piper dictates the tune, he said.

The labour leader also said that it was regrettable that for about two weeks, activities in the courts have been paralysed due to the problem of the non implementation of the judicial autonomy.

He added that NLC and its affiliates would not hesitate to join the industrial action within the next two weeks if nothing was done.

We also wish to reiterate our full support for the full autonomy of the legislative arm of government as it would boosting democratic experience and deepen democratic culture, he said.

The NLC president also drew governments attention to the poor state of Apapa-Oshodi-Wharf road and the consequent gridlock.

He stressed that government should fix the vital artery for the benefits of economic life. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Onyegbula

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Sundayurged the entire universalChurch to invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to end Coronavirus pandemic.

Kaigama, who gave the charge in his homily at St Anthony Jabi in Abuja, stressed that the church should ceaselessly pray against insecurity and other vices across the nation

He said that the Church shouldspecially remember those most affected by the pandemic and insecurity by praying the Holy Rosary personally,

And, to link up to Catholic Shrines around the world where prayers will be going on.

The Holy Father is requesting that during this month of May, the month of Mary,
the entire Church should invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

To specially remember those most affected by the pandemic by praying the Holy Rosary personally and to link up to Catholic Shrines around the world where prayers will be going on, he said.

The Archbishop, who also called for ceaseless prayer against insecurity and other vices, noted that the country was reckoned as one of the most religious nations on earth.

Our places of worship are often filled with worshippers, but our daily actions reflect a wide discrepancy from the tenets of the religions we profess.

In spite of our religiosity, we continue to witness an acute rise in the numbers of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and militants, not to talk of corrupt officials.

We price evil over good, laud violence over peace and personal economic interests over collective nation building.

We arrogantly feel that we are masters of creation and of ourselves, and those, who are comfortable, think that only the poor should worry about God or religion.

Some remember God only when they are in trouble like the Prodigal Son (cf. Lk. 15:11-13). Some cut off themselves from God during difficult moments.

Some live very ungodly lives and yet, expect the world to love and respect human lives and human rights.

The branches that do not bear good fruits are the nominal or indifferent Christians among us. They are tied to Jesus only by an outward profession.

The kind of fruits they bear are what St Paul enumerates in Galatians 5:19-21: immorality, impurity and shamelessness, idol worship and magic, hatred, jealousy, violence, anger, ambition, division, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like, he said.

Kaigama further said that in the face of rising challenges of all kinds in our nation, we feel duty bound to ask, if those who represent our collective interests in the Presidency, Senate, House of Representative, etc., do make the dividends of democracy come to us,

Or, they are only experiencing the fruits of democracy in their pockets and with their families and friends instead of all Nigerians.

We are faced with consuming insecurity, excruciating poverty, spiralling unemployment and the arbitrary destruction of human lives.

It is very painful and shameful that a country blessed with abundant resources, so endowed with intellectuals, professionals of eminent credentials, and a hard working people should suffer the kind of crippling poverty and social deprivation that give birth to multidimensional violence.

We should ask God for the grace of renewal, fruitful governance and a godly management of our resources, devoid of individualism, nepotism, bigotry and so on, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Boxing Association (LSBA) has held a reception in honour of its boxers who won medals at the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival held in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reception was held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Saturday.

The Lagos State contingent dominated the boxing event at the sports festival, winning five gold, two silver and one bronze medals.

The victorious boxers are Osoba Abdul-Afeez (team captain), Shittu Afolabi, Dolapo Omole, Olamide Mustapha and Adesodun Michael.

Others are Blessing Oraekwe, Fatima Aronkomola and Gabriel Francis.

Speaking at the reception, Jenkins Alumona, Chairman of LSBA, congratulated the boxers for putting up a spectacular show and towering above their counterparts from other states.

He commended the boxers for being professional, and representing the state in shining colours throughout the festival.

He also lauded the teams Head Coach, Waidi Sobaloju, and the other coaches for preparing the boxers to success in spite ofnumerous challenges.

Alumona disclosed that LSBA was collaborating with the Lagos State Sports Commission to draw up a plan to keep the state boxers engaged every month.

What you boxers have done is to set the ball rolling.

Working with the sports commission, our plan is to change the face of boxing in the state.

We are blessed to have a very strong board; its members have shown that they are a team of action, alongside the sports commission.

Moving forward, one thing I can promise you is that we are not going to be waiting for sports festivals before we take action.

The technical and planning committee of the board has sent a proposal to the Sports Commission. Once it is approved, there is no month you wont be doing something.

As our boxers, we want you to know that we are working very hard for you because you have shown us that with support, you can do very well,Alumona said.

Alumona, however, tasked the boxers to match the action of the administrators by remaining professional and conduct themselves well at all times.

He also disclosed that the package the association had for the boxers would only be revealed after Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, hosts the entire Lagos State contingent.

Also speaking, Sola Aiyepku, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, lauded the boxers for their performance at the festival.

He also congratulated the coaches and the LSBA for ensuring they prepared the boxing team adequately for the event.

Aiyepku also disclosed that the commission was already planning for the next sports festival scheduled to hold next year in Delta.

Edo wasnt easy, we know the circumstances leading to your departure and we all know what happened, but you all did well.

With what the chairman has told me, when we go with our full house next year, we will double this years feat. So, we are planning for next year already.

After you have done well for the state, you are still going to do well for the country. By Gods grace, those of you who want to become professional boxers will get our support, he said.

Aiyepku also reaffirmed Alumonas statement that the LSBA had submitted its plans to the commission and lauded the board for being visionary, describing that as fantastic.

He pledged the commissions support for the association to achieve its objective of improving the fortunes of boxing, and announced that the commission had granted a space to the boxing board for the development of a gym and training centre.

The chairman has already mentioned the space that we have given.

So many people have come to ask me why we have given boxing a space, but the truth is we are proud of the plans that the board has always put together.

We are determined to support it to make sure that we record good success, Aiyekpu said.

The sports commission boss also encouraged boxers not picked for the sports festival due to paucity of slots, not to feel disheartened.

I will advise them to train properly and make themselves available for selection, he said.

Osoba Abdul-Afeez, captain of the Lagos boxing team, in a remark, thanked the LSBA for organising the training camp where boxers prepared for the games.

The quality of the preparations helped us to triumph and conquer our opponents at the festival, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Friday in Abuja announced the dissolution of 31 national sports federations.

The minister also immediately announced the constitution of caretaker committees to oversee the federations until elections into their boards.

Following is the full list of members of the caretaker committees:

1. AQUATICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
   NAME DESIGNATION
   1 Babatunde Fatai Williams Chairman
   2 Onyeacholom Stephen Augustus Member
   3 Sani Mohammed Secretary-General

2. ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Olamide George Chairman
2 Maria Wophill Member
3 Adisa A. Beyioku Secretary-General

3. BADMINTON FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Francis Orbih Chairman
2 Olumide Bamiduro Member
3 Victor Osuoha Secretary-General

4. BASKETBALL FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Musa Kida Chairman
2 Prof. Florence B. Adeyanju Member
3 Afolabi Olabisi Omobola Secretary-General

5. NIGERIA BOXING FEDERATION
   NAME DESIGNATION
   1 Gen. Joseph Ayeni (Rtd.) Chairman
   2 Mrs. Uche Julie Netufo Member
   3 Obot Uko Monday Secretary-General

6. NIGERIA CHESS FEDERATION
   NAME DESIGNATION

1 DIG. Sani Muhammed Chairman
2 Bode Durotoye Member
3 Akinyele Dapo Secretary-General

7. NIGERIA CRICKET FEDERATION
   NAME DESIGNATION
   1 Prof. Yahaya Adam Ukwanya Chairman
   2 Prof. Mariamn Suleiman Member
   3 Taiwo Oriss Secretary-General

8. CYCLING FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 G. Massari Chairman
2 Mohammed Bashir Member
3 Shammah Makpa Secretary-General

9. DARTS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
   NAME DESIGNATION
   1 Abubakar Gaiya Haruna Chairman
   2 Rita Oyoku Nwaeke Member
   3 Etim Udokang Secretary-General

10. NIGERIA DEAF SPORTS FEDERATION
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Alh. U. Nahuche Chairman
    2 Ogundele Olusola Foluke Member
    3 Agbabiaka Lukman Secretary-General

11. FIVES FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Abubakar A. Dangaladima Chairman
    2 Sheba Victoria Jefferson Member
    3 Salisu Mamman Secretary-General

12. NIGERIA GOLF FEDERATION
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Olagunsoye Oyinlola Chairman
    2 Dr. Patrick Uwagbale Member
    3 Almu Umar Lambu Secretary-General

13. GYMNASTICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION

1. Kelvin Erhurnwunse Chairman
   2 Moyosore Ogunseinde Member
   3 Davies Oludare Secretary-General

2. HANDBALL FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Samuel Ocheho Chairman
2 Halima Banjeminia Member
3 Muhammed Maigidansama Secretary-General

15. NIGERIA HOCKEY FEDERATION
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Sen Abdul Ningi Chairman
    2 Dr Success Anyanwu Member
    3 Rita Mosindi Secretary-General

16. NIGERIA JUDO FEDERATION
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Brig. Gen. Z.L. Abubakar Chairman
    2 Prof. A.O. De-Souza Member
    3 Monica Otumola Secretary-General

17. KARATE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Silas Agara Chairman
    2 Dare Jegede Member
    3 Adamu Maikano Secretary-General

18. KICKBOXING FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
    NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Yakubu Abubakar Chairman
    2 Dr. (Mrs) Uwaoma Ifeyinwa A Member
    3 Ademisoro Oluwasegun Secretary-General

19 NIGERIA WUSHU KUNGFU FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Adewunmi Adekunle Chairman
2 Amaefule Kathleen Chimezien Member
3 Abbas Wosilat Secretary-General

20. NIGERIA ROWING, CANOEING

Manchester Uniteds 2020/2021 English Premier League (EPL) clash against Liverpool on Sunday was called off after their fans broke into Old Trafford and invaded the pitch during a protest.

The protest was against the Glazer family, who are the clubs owners.

The Red Devils were among 12 clubs which last month signed up for the breakaway European Super League (ESL), which collapsed within 48 hours due to huge, unrelenting pressure.

Those plans brought anger against the Glazer family to a new level, with fans congregating at Old Trafford to demand change ahead of Sundays clash with rivals Liverpool.

But hundreds of supporters got into the stadium and on to the pitch, leading to an initial unspecified delay to the 4.30 pm (1530 GMT) kick-off.

The Premier League said that the safety of everyone at Old Trafford is paramount and confirmation came through from Manchester United at 5.35 pm that the match had been postponed.

Following discussion between the Police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerations around the protest today, a club statement read.

Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.

Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest.

However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger.

We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.

The Premier League confirmed the collective decision to call off the game was taken with security and safety in mind.

We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches, a statement from the league said.

Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today (Sunday) have no justification.

We sympathise with the police and stewards who had to deal with a dangerous situation that should have no place in football. The rearrangement of the fixture will be communicated in due course.

Liverpool - another founding member of the Super League - said they were in full agreement with the decision to postpone Sundays match at Old Trafford.

It is our position that public safety must be the number one factor in any such decision, with the ability to provide a secure environment for the participants, staff and officials being a particular priority, the Anfield club said.

It was clearly not possible for this to be guaranteed today due to a situation which escalated rapidly.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says recent attacks on its facilities, if remained unchecked, may affect future polls.

The commission expressed concern, particularly with the ongoing conversion of voting points to polling units, voter registration and the conduct of future elections.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, while confirming fire attack on the commissions office in Akwa Ibom.

Okoye said that the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom, Mike Igini, reported that INEC office in Essien Udim Local Government Area was set ablaze at the early hours of Sunday morning.

He said that the security guard on duty escaped unhurt but the destruction to the building and properties therein was extensive.

Items destroyed include 345 ballot boxes, 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and office furniture.

The police, which have also been battling with attacks on its facilities and personnel in the area, are aware of the incident and have commenced investigation, Okoye said.

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, has called on those clamouring for secession to jettison such idea.

Speaking at the Special Ramadan Prayer Tafsir (Lecture) for Lagos State and Nigeria, held at the Lagos House, Marina on Sunday, Tinubu said that the country was better together than separated.

He said that the war drums some people were beating would result in the disintegration of the country like Sudan and Iraq.

According to him, Nigeria is yet to recover from the effect of the civil war, hence, cannot afford to experience another war.

For clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience war. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such war does not end on time. We are yet to recover from the civil war.

We are better together. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate, its not acceptable to us. Our prayers is for prosperity and more wealth for the country, he said.

Tinubu also commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for their achievements in the state.

He said that the state had witnessed massive developments since the administration of Sanwo-Olu came on board and expressed satisfaction with their performance.

In his goodwill message, Gov. Sanwo-Olu promised to fulfill his campaign promises and deliver on the dividends of democracy.

He said that the state government was in the process of installing 2,000 cameras across the state for security surveillance.

He said that the proposed last mile buses, which his administration would unveil this month (May), would eradicate the menace of Okada riders.

According to him, more funds will be deployed into the state Security Trust Fund to empower police and other security operatives, while technology will be deployed around the state.

The National Missioner, Ansaru-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul-rahman Ahmad, also called on those clamouring for the country to divide to have a rethink.

Ahmad said that though insecurity was on the increase, but with constant prayers, change of thoughts and characters by Nigerians, the country would come out of it.

The Islamic cleric encouraged all Nigerians to buy made in Nigeria products to strengthen the naira and the economy.

He urged the Lagos State Government to make examples of lawless commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, for peace and security in Lagos.

Ahmad condemned the kidnappings in many parts of the country and advised government to implement the laws on insecurity as it affects development.

For those clamouring to divide the country, maybe you should have a rethink. Ask yourself; where will this clamour for so called independence lead us? We should reinvent this country. Nigeria will be great.

Today are in hard times, these are uncertain times. This is the time men are supposed to be separated from boys. This is the time that regions need to think out of the box.

We are insecure, we are unsure, there is hunger, there is anger and confusion in the land. This is the time we need divine intervention. If we gather and pray till 2023, Allah will not listen to us till we do some things.

This is the time action is required, backed by deep thoughts for today and our tomorrow. We have often blamed leaders but we have to choose the kind of leaders we deserve. Everywhere is unsafe even the police station is not safe. We need to rejig, he said.

Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello (Oniwasi Agbaye), called for more prayers, as what Nigeria was facing was as a result of sins in the country.

Bello said Nigerians should truly love one another, and do away with corrupt practices.

The event was attended by frontline Islamic clerics from all local government areas in the state and the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gen Abubakar Garba.

Also, the former National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, business mogul, Aliko Dangote, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News