By Sani Idris

The Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Malam Zubairu Maigwari, has urged traders not to hike the cost of their commodities as the Ramadan fasting approaches.

Maigwari made the call in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Kaduna.

Marketers should reason with the common man and reduce the cost of their goods, especially food items, to enable people to afford the costs.

As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, traders should feel the pains of the common man, cut down costs of food items so that they will receive Allahs blessings in their businesses, the royal father said.

He noted that religious preachers were worried about the increased cost of food items whenever Ramadan is approaching.

Hence call for the need for preaching against the act.

Maigwari also appealed to both Kaduna State and the Federal Government, market unions and regulatory bodies to monitor and moderate market prices to prevent an outrageous hike in the cost of food.

Artificial inflation is making life extremely hard for Nigerians, Maigwari said.

Traders should think of meeting God and the consequences of tripling prices of commodities.

Allah is watching you in whatever you do, always have the fear of Him in whatever you do.

He called on Muslim clerics to preach peaceful co-existence among people and avoid utterance capable of incitement.

I am also calling on leaders of various religious groups to be just in all their doings, failure to do that calls for the survival of the fittest which at the long run inflicts heavily on the development of the country at large, Maigwari said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1442AH from Monday.

Abubakar gave the directive on Sunday in a statement issued by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday, April 12, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Shaaban 1442AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1442AH.

Muslim are, therefore, requested to start looking for the crescent moon on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan, the statement read.

The Sultan prayed Allah to assist Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.

Junaidu gave telephone numbers that could be used directly to report the sighting of the new moon to the committee.

The numbers are 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757, 08035965322 and 08035945903.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has cordoned off a distressed three-storey building in Oshodi with a seven-day evacuation ultimatum on traders and residents to save lives.

The ultimatum is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem on Sunday in Lagos.

In the statement, the General Manager Mr Gbolahan Oki, was quoted as saying that the owner and occupants of the dilapidated building at No. 2 Brown Street, off Bolade Bus-Stop, Oshodi, had ignored several quit and removal notices served in the past.

Oki said the seven days ultimatum became necessary after the scientific and Structural Integrity/Stability Test (SIT) revealed that the high-rise building is extremely dilapidated and a disaster waiting to happen.

Oki said that there was a need for removal of the structure to prevent loss of lives and in line with the governments drive to achieve zero tolerance to building collapse for the safety of Lagos residents.

He explained that the SIT tests were carried out by a team of LASBCA experts and its sister agency, the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory.

The general manager urged the traders/residents to vacate the building for their own good before April 15.

He added that this would allow the agency to remove the building before a disaster would occur.

The government will not fold its arms and watch a distressed structure of that magnitude collapse on her people without taking necessary action, he said.

While reaffirming the state governments commitment to safeguarding lives and property, Oki called for the collaboration of residents in reporting distressed and non-confirming buildings in their localities to LASBCA district offices.

He said this would reduce the incidence of building collapse.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that Lagos State has recorded one building collapse this year, when a building collapsed at Elegbata Street, Olowogbowo area, Apongbon, Lagos on Feb. 7.

An adult male was rescued by emergency responders at the scene of the collapsed building. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Friday Idachaba

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammed Saad Abubakar III, on Saturday commended the inter-religious harmony in Kogi.

The Sultan gave the commendation when he inaugurated a1,800 seat capacity Anyigba Central Mosque built by former Governor of Kogiand Industrialist, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ultramodern AnyigbaMosque in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi has an auditorium, offices, 30 male and 50 female toilets.

It also has a school and was built on a 1.3 hectare of land.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Sultan and Head of the Islamic Supreme Council urgedwell to do individuals to see building Mosques as a way of moulding spiritual characters of upcoming generations.

He said that building of Mosques also helped to boost the faith of adherents and urged Muslims to use the forthcoming Ramadan to pray for strength and enduring peace in the country.

The Sultan commended the initiative of the facilitator of the mosque, saying that it attested to the fact that the edifice must have been conceived over time and not an idea that began now.

He described the overwhelming presence of Christian Clergymen at the inauguration of the Mosque as unprecedented.

The Sultan said inter religious harmony was a way of sustaining peace in the country and urged that the Kogi example whereChristians and Muslims were united in worship be emulated by all Nigerians.

Speaking earlier, the former governor and facilitator of the mosque project, said that his charity and community development projects were part of his modest way of showing appreciation to God for His love and countless blessings.

Idris explained thathis involvement was not because he had too much money but because, God has been good to me all through my life. I know I cannot pay Him for his superlative mercies to me.

I feel there is no better way of thanking him than to provide a place where others can come and worship Him, he said.

The former governor said that he had built Churches and Mosques in Idah, Ejule and Abejukolo even before he became governor.

Helisted some evidences of Gods love in his life to include the miraculous survival of three of his children in a 2006 plane crash that claimed many lives.

Also, he mentioned his narrow escapes from many serious accidents and his business and political successes.

In fact, if I have to start counting Gods blessings and love for me, there will be no space to contain them.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Adaji, Bishop of Idah Catholic Diocese, who led the clergymen drawn from all Christian denominations across Kogi East Senatorial District, commended the former governor for his decision to advance the worship of God. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Solar Power Naija programme, a component of Federal Governments Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), will get to all geopolitical zones in the country soon.

Osinbajos spokesman Laolu Akande in a statement in Abuja said the vice president inaugurated the Solar Power Naija programme atJangefe Community in Roni Local Government Area, Kazaure Emirate, Jigawa on Friday.

According to Osinbajo, the programme will deliver electricity to no fewer than 25 million Nigerians whose communities are off the grid.

The vice president restated Federal Governments determination to ensure that millions more would access cheap and environmentally-friendly renewable power.

After Jangefe, the rollout will continue across the six geopolitical zones in Edo, Lagos, Adamawa, Anambra, Kebbi and Plateau.

Other Solar companies are also in the pipeline for the Solar Power Naija facility to continue the march to five million connections during the life of this administration.

The Solar Power Naija programme means the Jangefe community will get 1,000 Solar Home Systems connections for its estimated 5,000 population.

The commencement of the installation in Jigawa is part of a 100,000 scheme with A-SOLAR, a local solar power company implementing aspects of the ESP Solar Power Naija scheme.

The Jangefe community, which is the first location to be covered by the A-Solar company, will have monthly energy payments until the systems are fully paid for.

At that point, there will be a transfer of ownership to each consumer in the community.

Osinbajo commended the Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, as well as other critical stakeholders, for ensuring the implementation of the programme.

The governors style of engagement and focus on economic growth and cooperation by bringing people together is one of the reasons it was so easy to execute this project in Jigawa.

This mindset and approach of the Jigawa administration created the environment for the Local Government Authority and the Emirate Council to work in harmony with the developers to make this project a reality.

This is probably why Jigawa State will continue to attract investments for the benefit of its people and the country at large, he said.

The vice president also commended the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najid Adamu, who made a down payment for the community to benefit from the solar connections.

Earlier in his remarks, Badaru commended both President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo.

He said that Federal Governments support to the state and other states in spite of declining resources had been unprecedented since 2015.

After the inauguration, Osinbajo visited the family of Alhaji Auwalu Dauda, a beneficiary of the programme in Jangefe to interact with members of the family on the impact of the programme.

Earlier on arrival in the state, Osinbajo attended, as special guest, the turbaning of the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, as the Madakin Kazaure and Galadiman Roni.

Besides, the Jigawa governor, a number of state governors also joined the vice president at the palace of Emir of Kazaure for the turbaning of Adamu.

They included the governors of Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara and Katsina.

There were also members of the Federal Executive Council present including the National Security Adviser, Retired Gen. Baba Gana Monguno. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Team Oyo, on Saturday, won gold and silver in 49kg mens Para-powerlifting at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Edo 2020 in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu Adesokan defeated his fellow Oyo counterpart, Olabode Mimololu, to win their state gold and silver, while Badamasi Muhammed clinched the bronze medal for Delta in the mens 49kgpara-powerlifting.

Beaming with smiles, the gold medalist, Adesokan, told NAN that he was grateful to God for the victory, which he dedicated to the people of Oyo State.

The people of Oyo State need this win; my winning gold will further motivate me for the paralympic games, which I am preparing for, hoping for Gods help and support.

I use this medium to call on people with disability not to despair but embrace sports and become better persons to themselves and the society, he said.

Mimololu, who expressed happiness over his silver medal, said it was an improvement over hisfirst NSF outing in 2018, in Abuja.

He called on relevant authorities to collaboratewith government at all levels in the sponsorship of sporting activities, to further attract youths away from social vices. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilola Gboteku

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says his administration will continue to support the Lagos City Marathon to sustain healthy living among residents of the state.

The governor made this known on Saturday during the 2021 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the Marathon should be encouraged as it was a way of keeping healthy.

He noted that the marathon started six years ago and had helped in promoting tourism and state development, adding that the Lagos City Marathon was important to everyone and there was need to continue.

The governor urged the people of Lagos to aspire to do better in the course of the race, as participating in the marathon required a lot of dedication.

While assessing the marathons compliance to the COVID-19 protocol, Sanwo-Olu said the event was a success, noting that the event should have taken place before now.

The race which started at 6:30 a.m. from the National Stadium, Surulere and finishing point at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island Lagos, had 300 expected participants, 85 International Elites and 105 Nigerian Elites.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the marathon was the emergence of Emmanuel Naibei, a Kenyan at first position, while Daresa Geleta and Demiso Legese Gudeta both Ethiopians, taking second and third positions, respectively, in the male category.

In the female category, Meseret Dinke an Ethiopian emerged as first, with Istifanus Peter Mahan emerging as the first Nigerian to finish the race.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Mr Herbert Wigwe, said the Lagos City Marathon had witnessed over 50,000 participants from different African countries annually.

He noted that in comparison to other years, the 2021 edition of the marathon had the lowest turnout of 300 participants.

Wigwe said the low turnout was not because of reduced interest but the need to follow strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety of all attendees.

We are compelled to maintain the social distancing regulations in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

Wigwe said the current breakthrough in science had made the organisation hopeful, adding that 2022 would have more people returning to the tracks.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Stella Kingsley of Rivers has won three gold medals in women weightlifting 49kg at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival in Benin.

Kingsley stunned her competitors on Saturday by coming top in the snatch and clean and jack events.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the power lifter recorded 179 points in both events which guaranteed her another gold medal, making three.

She currently leads her colleagues in the total points.

A very confident Kingsley, who began weightlifting in 2013, told NAN that she was excited with the victory.

I thank God for what he has done for me; for giving me three gold medals in this festival.

My career has not been easy, it has been God all the way and I thank my coach for his effort and support .

I am working hard to feature in the future Olympics and win a gold medal, she said.

The athlete also appealed to her State Government for support in her career growth. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Kado

The UNwomen Spotlight Initiative has trained no fewer than 120 persons in Adamawa to advocate, improve reportage and for documentation of cases of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Mrs Oluwayemisi Nathaniel, the Project Coordinator of Womens Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the training in Yola on Saturday.

She said that the Spotlight Initiative responds to all forms of VAWG, with particular focus on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SBBV) and harmful practices.

According to her, WRAPA is focusing its attention on Abuja, Adamawa and Sokoto States.

The major aim of Spotlight Initiative is to support the transformative change on the ground aimed at ending violence against women and girls as well as putting an end to harmful traditional practices in several countries across the globe.

The intervention focused on building capacity of both individuals and institutions to influence and act across state and non-state actors, she said.

Nathaniel then urged the participants to take the advocacy to various places as expected.

She assured them of the groups support to enable them succeed in achieving the objective of the training.

She also urged the stakeholders to help eradicate gender-based violence and other harmful practices in their respective communities.

Asabe Umar, a participant, commended the resource persons for their presentation and assured them that they would do everything possible toward reducing VAWG.

Another participant, Ismail Mohammed, described the training as effective and promised to sensitise others against SGBV, VAWG and other harmful practices (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edeki Igafe

There was massive turnout of voters in Saturdays Isoko North Local Government Area Constituency by-election for Delta House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that distribution of election materials fromthe Registration Area Centres (RACs) to the various polling units started at about 7:00 am while accreditation of voters began at about 8:30 am in some of the polling units.

The voters which included youths and elderly were happy to exercise their civic rights.

A participant, Mrs Aghogho Elias, said: I want to cast my vote because I am alive.

There were few vehicles and persons on the roads while security personnel manned various strategic locations and polling units across the state constituency.

This was in fulfilment of the directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Ari Ali, who had earlier issued an order restraining movement of persons between Friday midnight and 4:00pm on Saturday in the area.

However, there was complaint by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over failure of the card readers in some of the polling units.

They described it asdeliberate attempt to manipulate the results.

Mr Godnews Agbi, an APC chieftain, said that the failure of the card readers was a calculated attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thumbprint ballot papers.

In Ozoro Ward 2, they tore the clothes off one of our agents and it is adeliberate plan of the PDP to thumbprint, Agbi alleged.

In a Swift response, Mr Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant toGov. Ifeanyi Okowaon Media, said that PDP should not be blamed for the failure of the card readers.

When someone is falling, he usually looks for something to hold on to.

In my unit, card readers are working and people are voting, there is nothing like thumb printing of ballot papers.

l believe that it is the same thing across the wards in the constituency, Egware said.

The Chairman of PDP in Isoko North Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Ogorugba, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.

Ogorugba, who voted at Otibio,unit 3, expressed satisfaction with the by-election.

Also, Mr Jude Ogbimi, PDP candidate in the by-election expressed joy at the peaceful conduct of the election while he voted atOtibio, unit 2.

NAN recalled that the by-election was for the vacant Delta House of Assembly seat created by the death of Tim Owhefere, its former Majority Leader, in Januaryat the age of 57. (NAN)

Source: NAN News