By Mark Longyen

The European Union (EU) has condemned the latest terror attack on Damasak town of Borno, Northeastern Nigeria, warning that it can trigger a humanitarian crisis if immediate actions are not taken to provide urgent needs.

The EU made this known in a statement on Thursday signed by its Commissioner for Crisis Management, Mr Janez Lenari. at its headquarters in Brussels.

The statement, which was issued in Abuja by Mr Modestus Chukwulaka, the Press Officer to the Delegation of the EU to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the EU also expressed deep concern over impending humanitarian crisis.

The EU strongly condemns such attacks and calls on all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and to safeguard human rights.

All parties should allow people caught in violence to move freely to safe places and should facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.

Violence is the main driver of food insecurity in Nigeria, where there are currently over nine million people who require urgent food assistance, it said.

It further said that the EU was following with deep concern the recurrent violent attacks by non-state armed groups against the people of the area.

The life and security of civilians, it said, were in danger, stressing that humanitarian premises have been destroyed, while humanitarian workers were being deliberately targeted.

The statement added that because of the recent increase of violence in Northeast Nigeria, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people will be left without assistance in an area where humanitarian assistance was already struggling to reach all those in need. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Police Command in Kaduna State has refuted a social media report that it arrested a Deputy Commissioner of Police for giving arms to kidnappers.

The commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, that the person in the report was a criminal arrested in Akwa Ibom two years ago.

The command wishes to categorically state that the image in circulation is not that of any police officer in the Kaduna Command or anywhere in Nigeria.

The image with camouflage uniform, wearing the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is one of Kingsley Udoyem, who was arrested and paraded by Akwa-Ibom Police Command on 2nd January, 2019 for the offence of impersonating a police officer.

Therefore, the image in circulation is not in any way connected to a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kaduna as portrayed in the report.

The command is using this opportunity to advise members of the public to disregard and discontinue the circulation of the unfounded image as there is no iota of truth in it, he said.

Jalige also urged the general public particularly social media users, to be positive and avoid circulating unsubstantiated materials.

According to him, those circulating the fake news report were doing so to tarnish the image of the police and create rift between it and the public in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Chairman, Board of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mallam Bukhari Bello, has pledged the boards commitment to support all efforts towards the upgrading of the FRSC Academy, Udi, to degree-awarding institution.

Bello said this on Thursday, in Udi, near Enugu, when the board members were led on inspection of facilities at the academy by the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

He said that the board members were so impressed and excited with the level of infrastructure development at the academy.

According to him, we are still amazed with the level of prudent management of financial resources to set up the infrastructure in this academy within a short space of time.

Bello said: From what we have inspected and seen ourselves, we are highly impressed with the level of financial prudence imbibed by the FRSC management led by the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

We as board members have decided to give our full support for the plan to turn this academy into a fully fledged degree-awarding institution on transport and road safety related matters.

The challenges raised are supposed to be surmounted; and we are going to join hands with the current forward looking management of the FRSC to surmount them all.

Also speaking, Oyeyemi said that the management had been very meticulous and prudent in its spending and ensuring that every kobo goes into something tangible and purposeful.

The corps marshal appreciated the Federal Government for its continuous support to the corps and state governments that had supported the corps futuristic programmes and expansions.

He said: FRSC, today, is not having any abandoned project anywhere in the country notwithstanding that we recently set-up 16 command offices around the country.

We have been going about our projects and infrastructure development in the academy and our other establishments with prudence and judicious use of funds.

The judicious use of funds and achieving of results had made us win at lot of goodwill and collaboration with various state governments in the country and even international bodies.

During the tour of the academy complex, the board members inspected a functional water works; medical centre, a 500-seat cafeteria; academy library and a 450-student capacity hostel.

Others included; a fully air conditioned 500-capacity auditorium; a 500-capacity multi-purpose hall; driving simulation centre; 150-computer capacity ICT centre and two generating sets 300KVA and 273KVA.

The event also featured presentations on the academy by its Commandant, Assistant Corps Marshal, Clement Oladele; and another presentation on the FRSC Command and Staff College by its Commandant, Assistant Corps Marshal, Charles Akpabio. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim G. Ahmad

The Zamfara state police command has arrested one medical doctor and seven other persons for allegedly aiding and abetting banditry across the state.

The state commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, disclosed thia at a press briefing held in Gusau on Thursday, saying that the medical doctor was arrested in Kamarawa village of Isa local government area of Sokoto state.

The commissioner said that the doctor was arrested by men of the operation Puff Adder for allegedly supplying military kits to armed bandits, and after preliminary searching, ten pairs of military jungle boots, five sets of singers and military hand globes were recovered from him.

Dosara further explained that two of the seven, suspected to be security personnel, have on interrogation, voluntarily confessed to have been involved in sabotaging many military operations in the state.

He added that these suspects were, according to their confessions, engaged in sharing military intelligence, supplying arms and ammunition, military uniforms and other facilities to armed bandits across that state.

Another suspect was arrested in connection with conspiring with the bandits and supplying them with ammunition

Similarly, Dosara further revealed that another suspect from Sokoto was arrested by detectives for supplying military uniforms and kits to suspected bandits.

He added that nine military bulletproof, four sets of military camouflage uniforms, five airs of military hand globes, two first bank ATM cards, One Nigerian army ID card and one Samsung Android Handset were recovered from his possession.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to improve interventions for Migrant women and Children.

The MoU, which was signed in Abuja, on Thursday, would also focus on interventions around gender-based violence, child rights as well as violence against persons.

Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who spoke shortly before the signing of the MoU, said that the MoU would foster the relationship between the ministry and IOM on interventions in areas of mutual interest.

Today, history is being made as we witness another glorious moment in consolidating our activities at addressing our areas of mutual interest.

This event further strengthens the existing relationship between our organisations, which I understand dates back to August 2002 when the first MoU was signed.

I am convinced that the implementation of the provisions of the work plan and MoU will not only be inclusive but will also impact positively on the wellbeing of the target group.

We will focus on the interventions around gender-based violence, Child Rights Act of 2002 and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, migrant child protection, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration.

The MoU is coming at the appropriate time as we work towards the development of the Third National Action Plan as prepared for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

This will, therefore, go a long way to refocus projects and programmes that will help the country and impact positively to alleviate the situation of our target beneficiaries, she said.

She pointed out that although the ministry had been at the forefront of addressing migrants issue; such coordinated intervention was very important and timely.

Frantz Celestin, Chief of Mission, IOM, said that the first point of call after the MoU signing was the assessment of the shelter facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He stressed that the focus on women stemmed from IOM data which showed that 42 per cent of the over 20,000 Nigerian migrants returned by IOM, were women.

Celestin pointed out that women and children were the most exploited and suffered the most brunt of violence and marginalization.

I am truly honored to be part of this historic moment. I know, together, bringing our respective strength to bear, we can do a lot.

In recent years, we have seen what we referred to as the feminization of migration. Where more and more women are on the move.

They often find themselves in vulnerable situations, be it trafficking or exploitation.

Looking specifically at Nigeria, our data showed that 42% of the 20,000 Nigerian migrants IOM brought back from Libya in the last three years are women.

Our data also show that they often suffer the most severe cases of exploitation and abuse. They need more support when they come back to fully reintegrate in society, he said.

The IOM chief said that the organisations programme seeks to give voice to women and children by removing the victimhood veil from them.

We know they can be the masters of their own destiny. This is why this MOU is so important.

This MOU will link IOMs work with the Ministrys Strategic Plan and Operational Framework, especially Strategic Result Areas.

IOM is looking forward to having specific focal points from the Ministry to participate in our proposed quarterly coordination meetings, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By David Adeoye

The Oyo State Government will partner the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in capacity building to meet global standard for exports.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, said this on Thursday in Ibadan, while hosting the Executive Director of NEPC, Chief Olusegun Awolowo, who paid a courtesy visit to the governor.

Adeosun who received the team on behalf of Gov. Seyi Makinde, informed the NEPC executive director that the government had moved from small scale farming to agri-business.

She said the Makinde led administration had constructed many access roads in the rural areas to make transportation of farm produce to the urban areas and markets easier.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Affairs, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, said the state government was building processing plants for preservation of farm produce.

Musbau said that the government would create an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive in the state.

He added that the government was currently training some selected women and youths on production of shea-butter.

In his remark, Awolowo urged the state government to partner the commission on its Safe Job, Create Job initiative.

He promised that the agency would also collaborate with the state government to modernise border market at Okerete for the benefit of the people of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has again challenged the new service chiefs and the acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to work diligently towards meeting the expectations of Nigerians

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president gave the charge while assessing the performances of the new service chiefs as well as the tasks before them and that of the acting I-G.

The president, who fielded questions from State House correspondents on his arrival from London after successful medical check-up, said:

Oh yes, they (service chiefs) have been in the system all the way, they know what is wrong, they know what is right and I think they are doing their best.

I hope their best will be good enough for Nigeria.

President Buhari, who announced the appointment of the acting I-G, Usman Baba, while in London, via the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, said due process was strictly followed in the selection of the new I-G.

He said: Well, we went through the system, there was a committee by the Minister of Police Affairs, they gave me some names and he happened to be the one chosen.

He knows his job, he has been in it for a long time, he went through all the trainings, he has the necessary experience.

So, we have a high expectation from him.

NAN reports that the presidential aircraft conveying the president and some presidential aides landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 4.45 p.m, on Thursday.

Those at the airport to welcome the president included the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Bello, and the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

Others were the service chiefs, acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi and other presidential aides.

NAN reports that the president, after a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport, boarded a presidential helicopter that conveyed him to the Presidential Villa.

President Buhari had on March 30 departed Abuja for London, United Kingdom, for routine medical check-up. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government on Thursday commenced the compensation of identified 263 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line is 37-km rail project, which will traverse from Agbado to Marina, expected to move more than one million commuters daily, when completed in the last quarter of 2022.

During the ground-breaking ceremony of Red Line project in Ikeja, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presented cheques of varying amounts as compensation to 25 residents whose properties, businesses and accommodation had been affected by the project.

Sanwo-Olu said that the presentation of cheques to the other PAPs would continue subsequently, so as to reduce their pains.

He said that the beneficiaries were those who had been verified to be bonafide property owners, business owners and tenants of the affected buildings.

For the first time in the history of paying compensation, we are not just paying compensation to landlords, we are also paying compensation to tenants and business owners who are tenants to these property.

We are doing that to ensure that no one is left behind, we do not want to displace anyone of their economic activity right now, we want to reposition them and make sure that Lagos can provide the opportunity for them on an ongoing basis, he said.

He appealed to all residents on the need to bear with patience the temporary pains and the inconveniences that would be experienced in the course of the project.

I implore you to cooperate with the contractors as we implement this life-changing and impacting project for the seamless mobility of all Lagosians, Sanwo-Olu said.

Those compensated are the event include the Ikeja Club with the sum of N78,659,000, and Blessing Okhawere (tenant) with the sum of N140,000.

Also, another beneficiary, Alimi Daudu, was compensated with the sum of N12,213,180, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has denied making payments to CARTIL Construction Company as reimbursement for reconstruction of Ife-Ifewara Road, Osun, which was done by Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said this on Thursday in Abuja, when he appeared before Senate Committee of Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

An official of the Church, Pastor Niyi Adebanjo, had in a petition to the Senate alleged that the ministry in 2016 and 2019 paid N151 million to the company as part payment for the road reconstruction.

Adebanjo had submitted the petition on behalf of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, referred the document to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

The Church in the petition, alleged that the construction firm claimed the sum of N151 million as reimbursement for the reconstruction of the road, which the church constructed.

The rehabilitation of the road was awarded and paid for by Pastor Enoch Adeboye in the sum of N188,440,342, hence the claim by CARTIl Construction Nigeria Limited was illegal and unjust, he said.

Fashola said the contractor CARTIL did not claim any money between 2016 and 2019 contrarily to the claim in the petition.

He said payment were made in 2011,based on the guarantee submitted and the interim statement generated by the company.

The ministry of works also did not make any payments to CARTIL construction between 2016 and 2019 and we did not certify any work on that road done by CARTIL between the period, he said.

Fashola said that the road was not a federal road but a 15 kilometers trunk B road in Osun.

He said the road was one of the constituency projects initiated by a then senator representing the zone in 2010.

He said the contract was awarded on Dec 21, 2010 at a cost of N662 million with an order to commence work on March7, 2011 and to be complete on Nov. 7, 2011.

He said the ministry paid 15 per cent mobilisation fee of the contract sum of N99.414 million in line with the procurement act in 2011.

He said the ministry also made another payment of N52 million on Dec 29,2011 based on an interim statement submitted by the contractor,having mobilised to site.

Fashola said the two payments were made in 2011, contrarily to the claim that they were made in 2016 and 2019.

This adminstration did not make this payment, I did not make this payment contrarily to the alligations made by the petitioner, he said.

He said the ministry became unsatisfied with the contractor and issued a warning letter to him in 2014 and 2015 to terminate the contract.

The payments made to the contractor were made in 2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act on mobilisation fee not exceeding 15 per cent of the contract sum, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government on Thursday attributed failure in Civil Service delivery to lack of skilled manpower, poor communication at planning and implementation stages, among others.

Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), made this disclosure in a statement the Director, Press and Public Relations, by MrAbdulGaniyu Aminu, in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan said this while delivering a virtual lecture on Public Service Reform Programme Implementation in Nigeria.

The lecture was for the participants ofSenior Executive Course No. 43 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in Jos.

To improve upon the civil service, Yemi-Esan stressed the needto put a strict system in place to attract and bring the best personnel into the service through Public Service Reforms, to revive the situation.

According to her, the practice in the past whereby the civil service was seen as a welfare institution to recruit all manner of people to mitigate unemployment crisis, is unwholesome.

She explained that the objective of public service reform, was to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the service, to promote economic and social development.

According to her, Nigeria has been carrying out various reform since independence in 1960, to achieve national development.

She opined that any reform worth implementing should first, be subjected to purpose wide-consultation, commitment, and sustainability.

In spite of various reform programmes initiated in the past, implementation has always been the bane, she noted.

The Head of Service listed factors responsible for such failures of past reforms to include, poor funding and inadequate provision in Ministries, Departments and Agencies to fund implementation of reforms.

Others, she listed were lack of skilled manpower, poor communication at planning and implementation stages, poor or total lack of ownership of reforms by state and poor subnational coordination of reforms.

According to her, poor involvement of citizens, lack of synergy between public and private sector organisations, lack of synergy amongst implementing MDAs policy, rivalry, and conflict of interest amongst institutions; are also major factors.

Lack of political will to implement of reforms, resistance to change, poor ICT infrastructure and political interference among others, have also been seen as factors responsible for the failures.

Yemi-Esan assured that the new reform programme in the service, Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2017 to 2020, derived from the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, would serve as Game Changer in the service.

In addition, the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) vision, would also address economic, social, and environmental sustainability issues in the service reform. (NAN)

Source: NAN News