By Augusta Uchediunor

The African Union Commission says the continent is making headway in defeating malaria through strong political commitment, increased funding, and innovations devised to improve malaria prevention and control.

According to it, most of the achievements have been realised through the Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign implemented by the AU Commission in partnership with the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to End Malaria.

H.E. Amira Mohamed, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission, made the assertion in her message as the world marks the 2021 World Malaria Day on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Malaria Day takes place annually on April 25 to highlight the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made.

The theme for 2021 World Malaria Day is : Zero Malaria Draw the Line Against Malaria.

Mohamed said: World Malaria Day 2021 comes at a time when healthcare systems in Africa bear the anomalous weight of the coronavirus pandemic.

AU Member States have maintained their focus in the fight against malaria even as the pandemic continues to test the limits of health infrastructure at the country level.

I take the opportunity to recognise and appreciate all AU member states for ensuring that comprehensive approaches like education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, that have been proven to have tangible results in the fight against malaria, have been sustained during the pandemic.

Today, the African Union Commission joins the world to celebrate the seven million lives saved, and over one billion malaria cases averted through life-saving mosquito nets, among other interventions.

She urged all countries to collectively work with the fullest commitment to end malaria by 2030.

As a continent, we celebrate with great honour and pride the AU Member States that have been certified malaria-free.

I encourage these member states to lead continental knowledge-sharing initiatives so that best elimination practices are exchanged and scaled-up.

To date, 19 AU member states have rolled out the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaignseven of which launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While more member states are working towards launching the campaign, the commission welcomes the collaborative effort to urge Africa leaders to step up and be a part of the zero-malaria movement, she said.

The AU commissioner said that the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaign was transforming the continents malaria response and inspiring global action.

This campaigns advancement and impact have demonstrated AU member states dedication to reach the targets set in the Africa Health Strategy and the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030.

The campaigns focus is to empower the youths involvement in the malaria response.

According to her, the leadership of youth in Africa is crucial as young people account for 75 per cent of the continents population and the youth are the driving force of the continent.

The AU Commissioner commended President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya, for launching the Digital Youth Malaria Army initiative.

She emphasised the critical role of multisectoral partnerships in achieving significant strides towards the shared goal of malaria elimination, urging for increased partnerships and resources to innovate and improve surveillance programmes.

As we commemorate World Malaria Day 2021, I call on frontline health workers , partners, and leaders worldwide and in Africa to share experiences and reflections on efforts and opportunities to reach the target of zero malaria.

I reiterate that ending malarias scourge will have a long-term, transformative impact and save millions of lives.

The commission will continue to support the AU member states to draw the line against malaria, she said.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of three of the students kidnapped at Greenfield University, Kaduna State.

The president, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, described the students as bright youngsters who were cut down by evil people in their prime.

He said: My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace.

Buhari extended his condolences and that of the Federal Government to the relatives, associates of the murdered students and the Kaduna State government.

On the recurring incidents of kidnappings and killings in the state, the president said that they were barbaric terror attacks.

He also described as unfortunate, the tenor of some political and religious leaders that seems to further incite and stokethe pains and anguish of mourning families who are forced to confront these tragedies.

Addressing this scourge requires great show of empathy and coming together as a society to squarely confront these elements and the danger it poses to our democracy and peaceful life in the country.

He assured that those who thought that profits could be made, either from the money paid as ransom or in politics, would suffer with equal measure of recompense under the full weight of the law for their wickedness and brutality.

Banditry, kidnapping and the politics of murders will be fought with all the resources available to our country, the president further declared. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abubakar Ahmed

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to Zamfara over the renewed spate of banditry in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed bandit attacks had resurfaced in some parts of the state, leading to the death of many people.

Bagudu, who was in company with his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, said that they were in the state to commiserate with Gov. Bello Matawalle and the people of the state over the attacks.

We were with Gov. Matawalle in Abuja three days ago to discuss the issue of insecurity with the presidency when he hurriedly left us after receiving reports of attacks on some communities in the state.

Since 2014 when, as senators, we came to Zamfara over the killing of over 90 innocent persons, we thought we had witnessed the last of such unfortunate happening but sadly, the matter has continued to defy measures.

We are here on behalf of APC governors to condole with government and people of Zamfara, especially the immediate family members of those killed and to assure you that we will always be with you in this fight, Bagudusaid.

While praying that the attacks would be the last of such, he expressed the hope that the efforts of both the federal and state governments in that regard would be fruitful.

Responding, Matawalle thanked the governors for their concern, describing the attacks, which took place in the holy month of Ramadan, as terrible.

I recently discussed extensively the issue of security challenges facing the state with President Muhammadu Buhari and the nations service chiefs, all of whom have commended our efforts and promised their continued support.

We have been doing our best and will continue to do it in order to bring lasting peace to the state. The security agencies in the state are also up and doing.

In the next three to four days, we are going to take a new stand and apply some new tactics in addressing the matter, Matawalle added.

The governor called for more support and cooperation from security agencies, even as he sought for credible information from the public so as to achieve the desired objectives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a suspect for allegedly engaging in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card fraud in some banks in Enugu metropolis.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement on Saturday.

Ndukwe said that the command also recovered a tricycle used by the suspect and his cohorts for their operations.

He said that the feat was achieved by operatives attached to the New Haven Police Division within the metropolis on April 16 at about 9a.m.

According to him, police operatives arrested one Chukwudi Chukwu, 25, at an ATM point along Chime Avenue, Enugu.

His arrest led to the recovery of a yellow-coloured Bajaj tricycle with registration number: ENU 677 WW, used by the suspect and his gang for operation and nine ATM cards of different banks.

The suspect, whose arrest was due to a swift response to a distress call and his rescue from an angry mob by police operatives, is alleged to have fraudulently swapped a victims UBA ATM card.

This the suspect did after offering to assist process his victims transaction on another banks ATM, with the intention of defrauding her.

He confessed to the crime as well as being a member of the syndicate that specialised in unsuspectingly swapping ATM cards of their victims at banks ATMs with non-functional cards.

This manipulative move they use to fraudulently obtain funds from their victims accounts, the police spokesman said.

He said that there had been discrete investigation to arrest other members of the syndicate, including the suspects accomplices who escaped on the said date of the arrest.

To this end, the states Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, has applauded the peace-loving residents for their assistance in the fight against criminals and their activities.

He, however, pleads with all and sundry to quickly submit arrested criminals to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, rather than indulge in mob actions that are tantamount to jungle justice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum has condemned the recent killing of three students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong described the incident as an act of wickedness and barbaric, saying the perpetrators must not go unpunished.

The governor condemned the act, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three students were among those abducted few days ago by gunmen at the university campus.

Lalong said there was no justification for the murder of the innocent students who were simply in school to study and prepare themselves for service to the nation.

He said northern governors would continue to engage the Federal Government and security agencies ,towards finding a lasting solution to kidnapping and other criminal activities especially in schools in the region.

He expressed concern that the heinous act would have great implications for the future of education in the region and the nation at large.

While commiserating with the families of the murdered students, Lalong called for the immediate and unconditional release of the other students and staff of the school still in captivity.

The forum also commiserated with the government and people of Kano State, over the demise of the mother of Emirs of Kano and Bichi, Hajiya Maryam Ado Bayero.

The chairman described her as a loving, humble and exemplary mother , who devoted her life to instilling positive values to the younger generation and also promoting peaceful coexistence among different groups .

He therefore condoled with the royal family and prayed to God to grant her eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army says the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), on Friday eliminated 21 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the border town of Geidam in Yobe.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that troops also recovered a gun truck and other assorted weapons from the encounter.

He said the troops, who are currently conducting Operation Tura Takaibango engaged the terrorist when they attacked the strategic border town on Friday, destroying three communications masts and looting some shops in the process.

According to him, the troops stationed at the town supported by the Air Component of OPLD mounted a hot pursuit and closed up with the terrorists killing 21 of them in the process.

The gallant troops successfully recovered a gun truck with an anti aircraft gun mounted on it, eight AK 47 rifles with ten magazines as well as two Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs and five chargers.

Other items recovered include over a thousand rounds of different calibres of ammunition, one Commando Mortar Tube, 3 IED blasting devices, tool boxes, communication radios and cell phones among several other items of value, he said.

Yerima said the troops were still combing the area for possible discoveries, adding that most of the terrorists escaped with various degrees of injuries from the resultant encounter.

He disclosed that three soldiers were wounded in the encounter, adding that they were in stable conditions and receiving medical attention in a military facility.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, congratulated the Theatre Commander and troops of OPLD including the Air Component for this great achievement.

The COAS restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army under his leadership to ending terrorism and all violent crimes in the North East and other parts of the country.

He further enjoined the troops to sustain the ongoing offensive under Operation Tura Takaibango until this noble goal is attained, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Contrary to online reports earlier in the week, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was not taken into custody by the EFCC.

His spokesman, Anietie Ekong, said it was actually Akpabio who sought audience with the EFCC to discuss issues surrounding transfer of funds belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He made the clarification in Abuja on Saturday in a statement in which he said it was also untrue that Akpabio attempted to buy his freedom from custody by bribing EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa with 350,000 dollars.

Ekong described the online article entitled: How EFCC detained Godswill Akpabio for two hours for attempting to bribe the new EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa with 350,000 dollars as defamatory.

He said the article was fabricated and that there was no reason for the minister to bribe the EFCC boss as alleged.

He explained that on Wednesday, April 14, Akpabio sought audience with the EFCC chairman to discuss the transfer of funds belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This, he said, was in respect of the 3 per cent statutory remittances from Oil and Gas Companies in the custody of the EFCC.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the transfer of monies earlier paid by the International Oil Companies into the CBN and EFCC accounts since December 2020.

TheEFCC chairman granted the request and the two officials met.

They had a robust discussion and the minister received very intelligent and useful input from the EFCC chairman on the on-going NDDC forensic audit.

However, the discussion was inconclusive since the minister needed to attend a security meeting with select South-South and South-East leaders and governors at the office of the National Security Adviser on the same day, he said.

The duo agreed to reconvene later on the same day to conclude their interaction and they did with the meeting wounding up after more than one hour.

Ekong stated that there was no issue of detention, adding that Akpabio could not have carried 350,000 dollarsinto the office of the EFCC chairman as he went there without a bag or a container.

He said the EFCC chairman gave useful and intelligent advice on the methodology of achieving success in the on-going NDDC forensic audit.

He added that the minister also sought the cooperation of the EFCC to actualise recoveries of further 3 per cent levies due to the NDDC but still being owed by some oil and gas companies.

Ekong also debunked the part of the online report that the meeting was arranged by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

For the umpteenth time, Akpabio did not bribe the Attorney-General with five million dollars as alleged to get Mr Effiong Akwa elevated to the position of the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Ekong said.

He recalled that the appointment ofAkwa was duly made by President Buhari in obedience to an ex-parte order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He explained that the court had restrained named members of the Interim Management of the NDDC from carrying out their duties until the application for an order of Mandamus was argued and disposed of.

In that suit, the court had ordered that the headship of the NDDC be handed over to the most senior Director pending the conclusion of the suit.

The most senior director at that time happened to beAkwa, who months earlier had replaced the deceased Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Bassey Etang, who passed on in May 2020 after a brief illness, he said.

Ekong added that the originators of the suit did not replace the deceased Etang with Akwa as a party in the suit,hence his emergence as the Interim Administrator.

He expressed dismay at the dragging of MAlamis office and name into the appointment of NDDC interim administrator that was clearly a child of circumstance.

Ekong expressed hope that his explanations would disabuse the minds of the general public against the falsehood peddled by the authors of the false and malicious publication.

He advised the general public to discountenance the said publication, adding that it was propelled by persons whose stock in trade was politics of blackmail. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) says it generates over N7 billion revenue monthly from its coverage areas.

The Chief Technical Officer of IBEDC, Mr Akin Abiodun,disclosed this on Saturday during the inauguration of a new 2.5MVA, 33KV/11KV transformer at Owode-Egba community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun.

Abiodun, who said that out of the amount,a total of N2 billion was being generated from the state, however, expressed the regret that Owode-Egba community was owing the company not less than N300 million.

Before now, we used to collect about N6 billion but now, we have movedto N7 billion and of course, the entire Ogun region gives us N2 billion, that is, one-third of our revenue, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the transformer came after the community had suffered power outage for more than eight months.

NAN reports that youths in the community had, in January, protested theoutage, lamenting that all their efforts at replacing the old transformer, which got burnt, had not yielded any result.

Speaking at the occasion, the lawmaker, representing Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Olumide Osoba, appealed to people of the community to pay their electricity bills regularly to ensure quality service by IBEDC.

In his remarks, a community leader, Abdul-Fatai Soyoye, said that the installation of the new transformer would boost commercial activities in the community, expressing happiness that the eight-month blackout would finally come to an end.

Today is one of the happiest days in Owode-Egba because since Aug. 9, 2020, there had not been electricity supply, he said, expressing appreciation to everyone who had contributed to achieving the feat, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Chief Elias Mbam, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has said that the commission had begun reviewing the emoluments of political and judiciary office holders.

Mbam disclosed this on Saturday, at Amagu community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi, at the 7th Ofala festival and 30th anniversary of the coronation of the traditional ruler , Ezeogo Dominic Aloh, Erima-Ogwudu III of Amagu Kingdom.

The RMAFC chairman, who was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Aka Ekpuchi Onwa II by the traditional ruler, told newsmen that a process to review the remuneration of political and judicial office holders was in progress.

He noted that the commission was saddled with the responsibility, hence it would soon conduct a public hearing on the issue, to allow the citizens contribute to the process.

One of the major responsibilities of our commission is to determine remunerations appropriate for political and judicial office holders.

In doing that, the financial situation of the country, at any giving time, is taken into consideration, including inflation and the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among others.

The commission being conscious that a lot has happened since the last review, have commenced the process of another review to reflect the changing realities.

We have progressed and we believe that before the end of 2021 something concrete will happen, Mbam said.

The chairman, who declined to confirm if the salary would be reviewed downward or upwards, said that the process was ongoing and would be influenced by a number of indices.

It is a process and the process at the end determines what it will be; when we go through the process, if it comes out to be increase, we increase, if it is decrease we do it, he added.

Mbam, however, enjoined Nigerians to participate in the review, noting that there would be public hearings and invitations for memoranda from members of the public, including institutions under the three tiers of government.

The RMAFC boss, who also spoke on the diversification of the nations economy, noted that the solid minerals sector had been contributing immensely to the economy. since his assumption of duty as chairman of the commission.

He said that the commission embarked on sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to all tiers of government, as well as across the 36 states of the federation, to encourage revenue diversification, which was yielding results.

Before I came in, solid minerals was not contributing to the federation accounts, but now solid minerals is a major source of revenue, we want to focus more on that.

We also want to make agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, major contributors to our national revenue and we believe that it wont be long and we will be getting more revenue from diversification, he said.

Mbam said that the award, giving to him was a call to more responsibility, adding that the honour would spur him to contribute more to the development of the society.

He said that the Ofala festival was very important because of its significance for cultural revivalism in Igbo society explaining that anybody who lost his culture was equivalent to losing his identity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Imelda Osayande

The police in Edo on Friday arraigned a 72-year old man and two others before an Ogbeson Chief Magistrates Court, Beninfor allegedly stealing 50 units of tricycles, valued at N25 million.

The threedefendants were Ifeanyi Onukwube, 35, Chima Sunday (AKA Papa), 72, and Bethel Abraham, 27.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Iyawe, said that the accused were arraigned on a four-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

Iyawe said that the defendants on Nov. 23, 2020 atAhor Garage in Ahor community, within Oregbeni Magisterial District, did conspire to steal tricycles.

He said the defendants stole 50 units of tricycles, valued N 25million, property of Godec Power Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor said thatthe offences contravenedSections 517, 383(1) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State, 1976, which is now applicable in Edo.

The defendants,however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

The defendants counsel, Mrs Martha Imafu, however, appealed to the Chief Magistrate to grant them bail and assured him that the defendants would not skip bail.

The police prosecutor did not oppose the bail application.

Consequently, Chief Magistrate Mutairu Oare admitted the accused to a bail of N200,000 each, with one surety in like sum.

He said that thesurety must be a responsible person and must depose to an affidavit of means.

Oare also directed that the surety must deposit two recent passport photographs of himself and that of the defendants with the court.

He added that information about the suretys residences should be verified by the court registrar.

The chief magistrate thereafter adjourned the case to May 12 for hearing. (NAN)

Source: NAN News