By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Team Delta have as at Friday been dominating the medals table of the swimming event at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 27 events from the scheduled 42 have been concluded in the swimming competition, with the setting of new records.

NAN reports also that Delta presently occupy the top position on the swimming medals table with a total of 24 medals comprising 15 gold, six silver and three bronze.

Delta are closely followed by Bayelsa, with a total of 23 medals comprising nine gold, six silver and eight bronze.

Festival hosts Edo have two gold, 10 silver and seven bronze for a total of 19 medals to stand fourth on the table, while Kano state have one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Cross River and Gombe appeared on the table but without any gold medal.

While Cross River have one silver and four bronze medals, Gombe state have three bronze medals to appear on the medals table.

A total of 126 medals, comprising 42 gold, 42 silver and 42 bronze are at stake at the ongoing NSF.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has been admitted into the Institute for Tourism Professionals in Nigeria by the national leadership of the Institute.

The VC, who was represented by Prof. Mike Okom, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, was admitted into the institute on Friday in Calabar for her contributions to the growth of tourism in the university and the state in general.

National President of the Institute, Mr Abiodun Dusanwo, who presented the certificate to the VC as a Fellow, said that the Institute found her worthy for her excellent role in promoting tourism and research.

According to Dusanwo, the Institute is particularly pleased with the VC for her role in introducing Tourism Studies in the University, which later became a full fledged department in the Institution.

The National President, who recalled the role the VC played during the early stage of the Calabar Carnival, in the administration of former Gov. Donald Duke, maintained that she was a certified tourism practitioner.

This award is to encourage you to do more for tourism studies in the university. The Institute is proud to associate with you as one who introduced the study of Tourism into the University of Calabar.

We are also happy that over the years, you have continued to play an excellent role in the tourism sector in the state, especially in the promotion of the largest street party in Africa, the Calabar carnival, he said.

Responding, the VC thanked the Institute for the honour, assuring the Institute that her administration would continue to promote the study of tourism and research.

She told the delegation from the Institute that she introduced the study of Tourism into the university in the Faculty of Social Sciences before it became a full fledged department.

She assured them of her administrations desire in collaborate with relevant partners and stakeholders with a view to promote and enhance the growth of Tourism Studies in the University. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Omega Power Ministries (OPM) says it has established a free school for people with autism and Downs syndrome.

General Overseer and Founder of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, said the establishment of the school was part of the churchs efforts to provide for less privileged children with special needs.

Apostle Chinyere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the phone that the school, located in Port Harcourt, would give children with special needs a sense of belonging.

He said its establishment was in line with OPMs desire to have the children of the less privileged educated free of charge.

He added that the school would complement OPMs 15free regular primary and secondary schools located in different parts of the country.

Rich people whose children have special needs take them to special schools, but the poor who cannot afford to send their children to these schools regard the children as bad luck, some abandon them anywhere.

In OPM, we decided to look for these kids and handle them with care using spiritual and physical means; we handle them with prayers.

These children can be great, but because of their special needs and conditions they are not too good in understanding things the way other children do, but they are very good with their hands.

We want to concentrate on using their hands to create things, and while we are backing them up with prayers spiritually, they will be healed by the Grace of God because there is nobody Jesus Christ cannot heal.

That is why we are opening this free special school for children with special needs, Apostle Chinyere said.

According to him, a recruitment process has started to get the services of professional teachers that will concentrate on the children.

He assured that the school would spread to other parts of the country the way the churchs free regular primary and secondary schools sprang up in parts of the country.

We are starting recruitment of professional teachers that will concentrate on these children with special needs because it is not every teacher that can handle them.

We also provide these children with free school uniforms, foot wears, school bags and back-to-school supplies, just the way we distribute freely to children in our 15 regular schools.

Also, equipment for special needs schools were purchased and the children have improved on many skills they did not have before.

This is happening in a short while of the schools existence and most of them who werent talking or writing prior to their enrolment into the school have started talking and writing, he told NAN.

One of the teachers who overcame autism, Mrs Chiamaka Mbekwe, an organist with Masters Degree, said the children would overcome their conditions and be reintegrated into society.

Mbekwe said the children were being given special attention to find out what works or interests them before they can be taught.

We provide play-based interventions that combine behavioural and developmental approaches because the attention spans of most of them are short and their eye contacts are not so good, she explained.

OPM also has two free specialist hospitals for the health needs of the less privileged. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reiterated commitment to its partnership with the Government of Kebbi on renewable energy projects.

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, disclosed this in a statement by the corporations Spokesman, Dr Kennie Obateru, in Abuja on Thursday.

Kyari spoke when he received the Governor of Kebbi, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He noted that the corporation remained committed with the partnership for the production of biofuels, adding that the project was viable and in tandem with the global transition to renewable energy.

He said the rice production programme in the state was a definite boost to the project.

He noted that the linkage of the agricultural sector with the energy sector would facilitate economic growth and bring prosperity to the citizens.

We will go ahead and renew the Memorandum of Understanding and bring in any necessary amendment that is required to make this business run faster, he said.

Kyari also hinted of plans by the corporation to resume active exploration activities in the Sokoto Basin.

Earlier, Bagudu expressed appreciation to the NNPC for its cooperation on the biofuel project.

He said the cassava programme was well on course but the same cannot be said of the sugarcane programme as the targeted milestone was yet to be attained.

He assured the GMD of his commitment to the success of the project.

Kebbi is one of the states that the NNPC is in partnership with for the development of renewable energy.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Ngozi Okoro of Anambra on Thursday won the gold medal in the womens -50kg karate event at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

Okoro defeated Ibiene Finebone of Bayelsa 3-0 in their three-minute fight.

At the end of the game, Okoro who was inspired by her dad who doubles as her coach said she was happy to have won the game.

We promised the governor of our state, Willie Obiano, that we were going to return with gold medals and I am happy to have won one.

I look forward to representing the country in competitions outside Nigeria, Okoro said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

Four Ekiti female Handball players, Precious Olajide, Phebe Oluwalade, Success Ayogu and Oluwanifemi Falowo have been shortlisted for the national team.

Mr Kayode Idowu, the Head Coach of Ekiti Handball Team, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.

Idowu said his team came fourth in the just concluded Under 12 and Under 18 Championship for Male and Female competitions held in Lagos.

He expressed happiness that four of the state players that participated in the tournament were picked to join the national team.

Though we came fourth in the Lagos Under 12 and 18 male and female Handball championship.

Ekiti only featured in the girls category and we are happy that four of the players have been picked to join the national team, Idowu said.

He expressed the belief that the four girls would make the state proud in their new challenge. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Augusta Uchediunor

The WHO AFRO says more efforts are needed to scale up COVID-19 vaccination in the African Region as many African countries have barely moved beyond the starting line.

According to it, less than two per cent of the worlds 690 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to date globally have been in Africa with limited stocks and supply bottlenecks putting the vaccines out of reach of many people in the region.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director, World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), spoke during a virtual press conference on Thursday facilitated by APO Group.

Dr Abdelhakim Yahyane, Director of Population, Ministry of Health, Morocco, and Mr Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa were at the meeting.

Also present were Dr Salam Gueye, Director, Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Richard Mihigo, Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme Coordinator, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The meeting noted that most African countries received vaccines only five weeks ago and in small quantities.

According to it, 45 African countries have received vaccines, 43 of them have begun vaccinations and nearly 13 million of the 31.6 million doses delivered so far have been administered.

The pace of vaccine rollout is, however, not uniform, with 93 per cent of the doses given in 10 countries.

Vaccine rollout preparedness, including training of health workers, prelisting priority groups and coordination helped some countries quickly reach a large proportion of the targeted high-risk population groups such as health workers.

The 10 countries that have vaccinated the most have used at least 65 per cent of their supplies.

Moeti said: Although progress is being made, many African countries have barely moved beyond the starting line. Limited stocks and supply bottlenecks are putting COVID-19 vaccines out of reach of many people in this region.

Fair access to vaccines must be a reality if we are to collectively make a dent on this pandemic.

Africa is already playing COVID-19 vaccination catch-up, and the gap is widening.

While we acknowledge the immense burden placed by the global demand for vaccines, inequity can only worsen scarcity,.

More than a billion Africans remain on the margins of this historic march to overcome the pandemic, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that according to WHO, through the COVAX Facility, 16.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, mainly AstraZeneca, have been delivered to African countries.

Once delivered, vaccine rollout in some countries were delayed by operational and financial hurdles or logistical difficulties such as reaching remote locations.

WHO is supporting countries to tackle the challenges by reinforcing planning and coordination, advocating more financial resources as well as setting up effective communications strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

The delays are not only affecting vaccine delivery to priority targets but expanding vaccinations to the rest of the population, some of whom have expressed eagerness to receive the doses.

WHO set a target to start vaccinating health workers and other priority groups in all countries in the first 100 days of 2021. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Deputy Governor saysGov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will direct the state on who will emerge the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate.

Aiyedatiwa made this known on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen by MrOladipupo Okunniga,Special Assistance to the Governor onNew Media.

He said thiswhile receiving theleaders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) 2023on behalf of the Governor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWAGA is one of the groups championing the emergence of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria.

Aiyedatiwa, who commended the group, declared SWAGA as a great movement.

He also described Tinubu as a friend of Ondo State and a nationalist who accommodates everyone regardless of ethno-religious background, an attribute the incoming President must possess to unite Nigeria.

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu is phenomenal and leader of leaders whose track records are there for everyone to see.

I am a man under authority, we have only one voice from our governor (Akeredolu), he is the one that can speak or make a pronouncement.

But I can assure you (SWAGA) that, Ondo State will not be passive.

We will be very active with the process that brings about the emergence of APC candidate in the 2023 Presidential primaries and the real election, Aiyedatiwa said.

Earlier, the group, led by the National Chairman, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, said it was the turn of the South to produce the Countrys President in 2023.

Adeyeye, who explained that zoning of the highest office would foster national unity, said every part of the country should be given a sense of belonging.

Power rotation is a covenant between us, hence the need to shift the power to South, he said.

Prominent leaders also in the team were the Vice Chairman, Sen. Rilwan Akanbi, Sen. Tony Adeniyi, Mr Abiodun Akinlade, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, Princess Ayo Omidiran and Mr Oye Ojo.

Others were, Mr Oloruntoba Oke, Mr Rotimi Makinde, Mr Bayo Sanwo-Olu, Mr Deji Jakande, Mr Lanre Odubote, Kenny St Brown and others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said it was determined to register 500 new members in each of the 326 electoral wards in Anambra during its forthcoming membership registration .

The state Chairman of PDP, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, said this in Awka during the distribution of the partys membership card to its Chairmen in the local government areas of the state.

We are targeting to register 500 new members in each of the 326 electoral ward of Anambra in addition to the millions of PDP faithful in the state, he said.

Nwobu said the exercise would begin on April 13 and last for seven days in each electoral ward.

The chairman said the membership registration was part of its preparation and awareness activities ahead of the Nov. 6 governorship election in the state.

He, however, urged the registration officials to treat people with civility and respect their decisions.

The registration will be done at the ward level under the supervision of local government and senatorial zone leadership of the party.

We are not going to buy members or force people to join as other parties have done, Nwobu said.

He called on the people of Anambra to take advantage of the exercise and embrace the party.

According to him, there is no better party to lead Anambra in November, in view of the poor political fortunes of the state in recent years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo
Secretary to the Government of Federation Boss Mustapha has called on the public to volunteer quality information to security agencies to check security challenges.

He also called for partnerhip among the security agencies for same purpose.

Mustapha made the plea at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) strategic workshop on intelligence sharing on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Mr Andrew Adejoh, Mustapha commended the contributions of security agencies, urging them not to relent in the fight against security challenges.

He noted that the present situation was challenging with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, which he said posed a novel security threat and had occupied the attention of the government.

As a country, we therefore have no choice, but to continue to fight the battle on all fronts.

To mobilise all neccessary stakeholders and sustain the multi-dimensional approach to tackle this problem.

Security is a critical enabler in the development of any nation, as it provides the guarantee for citizens and foreigners to engage in legitimate business of their choice.

Security, therefore, is everyones business, some agencies of government are in the frontline and saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that a well-coordinated security architecture is put in place.

This is to achieve the desired outcome of a safe environment and peaceful coexistence of all individual in the nation, he said.

He said that the collaborative efforts of the corps have reflected on a rewarding relationship with the state governments, stakeholders and development partners.

Earlier, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the essence of the workshop was to support other security agencies with relevant information.

Oyeyemi said it was significant to intimate other security agencies with the development and progress in the data management strategy and contemporary innovations of the corps to meet the current reality of the situation.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said that connectivity and collaboration were the major measures in achieving a safe country for all.

Represented by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Habila Vintenaba, Attahiru urged the FRSC to sustain the workshop.

Security agencied at the workshop were Nigerian Army, Navy, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News