By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, on Friday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address all constraints hindering the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The state Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Gani was reacting to INECs plan to begin the CVR in June.

There is nothing bad in INEC continuing voter registration, but what is embarrassing is that this continuous voter registration is always announced as if it has intervals.

That should not be; it is not the intendment of that act.

It should be a continuous and uninterrupted registration exercise.

It is for INEC to let people know if they are facing logistics constraints.

Why should they say continuous voter registration while it is not really continuous? he queried.

According to him, the idea of announcing when exercise is starting and when it is ending has betrayed the essence of the exercise.

It should be a continuous exercise and should occur seamlessly.

The party spokesman said that registration, suspension in 2018, would still bring stress to numerous applicants who would seek to register ahead of the 2023 general election.

If it has been a continuous exercise in its real sense, he said, the exercise would not bring pains to people.

Now, people will still have to line up and go through pains to get registered, he said.

Gani urged INEC to ensure that the 2023 elections reflect the will of the people.

INEC, on Thursday, announced that it had fixed June 28, for the resumption of its suspended CVR across the country, with new technology.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a news briefing said that the exercise would continue until the third quarter of 2022.

Yakubu also announced that the commission would replace its Direct Data Capture Machine (DDCM), introduced in 2011 for voter registration, with a new technology called, INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED).

The registration exercise took place continuously from April 27, 2017, and was suspended on Aug. 31, 2018. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Pastor Timothy Bakare, Zonal Superintendent for Christ Apostolic Church Oke-Ibukun Iloro Zonal Headquarters, has reaffirmed that Jesus Christ is the only hope for mankind.

Bakare made the confirmation during a Good Friday Service at the Christ Apostolic Church Oke-Ibukun Iloro, Zonal Headquarters, on Friday, in Ile-Ife.

He said that God created man in His own image, with the hope of serving Him, but it was a pity that men fall short of the Glory of God, by transgressing against Him.

According to the cleric, God cursed both Adam and Eve including Satan and the curse persists on humans and animals till date.

Woe unto the world, for the adversary was sent to the world.

But Glory be to God that shown mercy unto the whole world, by giving us His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

If anyone be in Christ, he is s new creature, old things have passed away, they have become new. he said.

Bakare then charged Christians to move closer to Christ and turn a leaf in Him, by genuinely repenting of their sins, so that the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, would not be in futility.

He urged Nigerians to utilise this period to pray for national security, embrace peaceful coexistence across the country and eschew evil. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday, donated the sum of N8 million to victims of the Yan Harawa market fire disaster in Yobe State.

In a statement by Ezrel Tabiowo, his Special Assistant on Press, Lawan made the donation when he paid a visit to the market in Gashua, Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.

During the visit, Lawan appealed to the leaders of the Yan Harawa market association to ensure that all victims of the fire incident benefitted equally from monetary donations, irrespective of party affiliation.

He also assured that the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would also support victims of the fire incident.

I hereby donate the sum of N8 million naira. Please, it should be shared equally to all victims affected by the market fire disaster.

Whatever donations you receive, make sure it is shared to all those who are affected irrespective of whatever political party they belong to.

I pray that may we continue to experience peace in this zone, and also in Yobe State and Nigeria, the Senate President said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in efforts to establish Medical Special Economic Zones in Nigeria, have urged the Federal Executive Council to adopt the concept as a national project.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, the Managing Director of NEPZA made the remark while formally presenting the concept to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, in Abuja.

In a statement on Friday, by Mr Martins Odeh, Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Adesugba said the medical zones are to be established across the six geo-political zones in conjunction with the IFC, its foreign collaborator.

According to him, in the authoritys attempt to use the zone scheme, to fast track the countrys industrialisation process found it expedient to extend such a mandate to scale-up the countrys healthcare system.

The NEPZA chief executive explained that it was vital for the concept to be adopted, adding that such show of political-will was needed to mitigate the fears and reservations of prospective investors.

The presentation provided a basis and justification for a notation to be made by the minister to Federal Executive Council for its buy-in and support to commence the project.

Adesugba, who also provided introduction and rationale for the project based on the COVID-19 effect.

He added that the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases in a more threatening manner unequivocally necessitated the urgent need to improve and invest in the countrys healthcare.

He stated that the over two billion dollars capital flight on medical tourism annually was a needless astronomical cost of medical services abroad which had a serious negative effect on the economy.

Adesugba, therefore, explained that the project when brought to limelight would invariably showcase Nigerias potential as a medical tourism destination.

The medical special economic zone remains a tool to reduce medical tourism and to reinstate buoyancy in our economy, he said.

The NEPZA boss also outlined the Authoritys vision for the project with details on the pilot project, benefits to Nigeria, components of the medical zones, criteria for site selection and success.

He also highlighted the steps taken to date which included stakeholder engagement, gazetting of medical special economic zones in third schedule of activities, state engagement and budget allocation and the proposed implementation strategy.

The statistics of this morning indicate that we have lost 2,057 people to COVID-19 but we have lost more to malaria this year as we speak.

We have lost more to TB, HIV so our intention is to put together the kind of scheme that would wholistically address the countrys healthcare challenges.

We have been able to pick some locations and we discovered that its even easier for us because there are some states that have already indicated interest to host the project.

Lagos, Kwara and Katsina States are waiting for the commencement of this great initiative.

While Katsina is on the verge of allotting us 400 hectares of land near the Airport for this scheme, we have taken delivery of large sites in Lekki, Lagos and Kwara respectively, Adesugba said.

Meanwhile, Dr Olumide Okunola, Senior Health Specialist, IFC, said the country should speedily leverage on this project to speed up its structural transformation.

On his part, Adebayo expressed delight on this initiative and promised to take it to federal executive council for consideration.

The event was also attended by Amb. Mariam Katagum, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and other senior officials of the ministry and NEPZA. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command (WMC), has intercepted cannabis sativa with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N694, 575, 000.

The NCS has also handed the banned substance to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Comptroller Olugboyega Peters of the WMC said at a news conference on Friday in Lagos that the command also intercepted other items such as rice and bales of clothing with a DPV of N687, 446 000, in the first quarter of 2021.

According to him, in 2020, the command seized over 10 tonnes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) valued at over a billion naira.

Here we are today showcasing another feat of arrest of marijuana by officers and men of the command.

On March 27, our operatives of Coastal and Harbour Patrol (Bar-Beach), on credible intelligence along Ibeche Beach on the high sea, accosted, intercepted and arrested two wooden boats laden with sacks suspected to contain marijuana (HS Code 0602.90 of Common External Tariff (CET).

This is together with six suspects, as empowered by Customs and Excise Management Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.

The goods together with the suspects were brought to WMC.

Upon physical counting, it was found to be 147 sacks of marijuana with an average of 45kg per sack, giving an estimated total of 6,615kg with a DPV of N694, 575, 000.

Peters said that WMC had collaboration with the NDLEA, adding that NCS handed over the marijuana and the suspects to NDLEA in the interest of national security.

He said that the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) headed by Miss Siji Song had on March 16, in fulfillment of its promise of installing Teleconferencing CISCO WEBEX equipment, handed over the equipment to the command.

He said that the equipment would aid operations of the command and assist security agencies in fighting piracy in the maritime industry.

The equipment will be fully installed when all the enabling tools are put in place by the service, he said.

Peters said that making the society free of drugs abuse was a collective one, urging that all hands should be on deck to achieve the aim.

You can imagine the havoc the marijuana of this magnitude could have caused in our society if this seizure has not been made.

Let me warn unscrupulous elements to desist from smuggling and look for a legitimate means of livelihood.

Operatives of WMC are always combat-ready to bring smuggling to its barest minimum.

No amount of distraction will deter us from enforcing Federal Governments fiscal policies; we will remain resolute no matter whose ox is gored.

I urge the NDLEA to invite us during the destruction of this marijuana and a copy of certificate of destruction issued to the NCS for record keeping, he said.

Mr Samuel Gazama, Commander, NDLEA, Apapa Special Command, Lagos, said that the cannabis intercepted was the type being cultivated in Ghana which, he said, was more potent than the one grown in Nigeria.

He said that the seizure saved Nigeria and its image.

We want the media to help to sensitive the public on the dangers of what we are trying to stop in our society.

On behalf of the Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, we thank the WMC and the controller-general of customs for the new leaf of synergy and cooperation that is really coming up between customs and NDLEA.

Even if we do not have the suspects, the fact that NCS was able to stop this from going into the society, is a big achievement, and I say thumbs up to you and your men. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has condemned the killing of soldiers, policemen and others in fresh bandits attack in Shiroro local government areas of the state.

Bello in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, in Minna on Friday assured communities of Bassa, Zumba and others in Shiroro and Munya local government areas under siege by bandits that the joint military taskforce bases in the area have not been deserted.

He allayed the fears that the taskforce camps were being deserted and security agents leaving the communities after the recent invasion of military base in Allawa during which six soldiers and a mobile policeman were killed.

Bello regretted the deadly attack and killing of the security agents and urged the communities not to be apprehensive but to remain calm as the security agents have retreated to re-strategise and not left them completely.

The military have evacuated the corpses of the gallant officers who died in the faceoff with the bandits and have retreated for a while to re-strategize. They have not left or abandoned the communities, he said.

He said the increasing banditry and kidnapping activities in some parts of the state calls for constant re-strategising, stressing that government and the security agencies have remained steadfast and would ensure that the criminals are eliminated.

The governor commiserated with the military, the Nigeria Police Force and the communities affected by the activities of the bandit over the death of the six security agents and all the people killed in the area so far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that bandits, numbering about 200 attacked a military base, killed six soldiers and a mobile policeman on March 31 in Shiroro local government area of the state.

The bandits also burnt down the base before moving into the communities where they also killed seven people and abducted several others.

Source: NAN News

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Kano State Fire Service says it saved 122 lives and property worth N81.3million in 116 fire incidents recorded in the state in March.

Saminu Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, gave the figures in a statement on Friday in Kano.

He however said that 20 lives were lost and property worth N39.6million destroyed by fire during the period under review.

The Service responded to 88 rescue calls and 22 false alarms from residents of the state, he added.

Abdullahi attributed most of the fire incidents in the state to careless handling of cooking gas and use of inferior electrical appliances.

He advised residents to always handle fire with care to prevent outbreaks. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has called for a more united Nigeria as he felicitated with Christians on the occasion of Easter celebration.

Kalu, in his Easter message on Friday in Abuja, described the season as a good opportunity for Christians to embrace the exemplary life of Jesus Christ and teachings of the Holy Bible.

The former governor of Abia urged Nigerians to imbibe forgiveness, sacrifice, piety and brotherhood in their daily endeavours, regardless of ethnic, political and religious differences.

According to him, Nigeria is better of as a united and indivisible entity as proponents of a divided nation dont mean well for the country.

I join our Christian brothers and sisters in celebrating yet another Easter.

We must appreciate God for the gift of life and unending blessings.

This season should be committed to self appraisal as individuals and as a people.

We must reflect on our lives in the service of God and humanity.

Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for sins of humanity and as such, the world can be a better place to live, if all and sundry, demonstrate love, peace, sacrifice and unity as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

We must be selfless, patriotic and steadfast in our pursuits for sake of national growth and progress.

For us the political class, there is need to further engage and connect with the grassroots in a bid to improve the common lots of the people.

The citizenry must support government at all levels by complementing people at the helm of affairs in order to take Nigeria to enviable heights.

As we celebrate Easter, it is imperative that we shun division, politics of bitterness and social vices, he said.

Kalu, while urging the Christian community to extend the Easter merriment to people of different faiths, wished Nigerians a peaceful and joyous celebration. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese has urged Nigerians to shun all forms of violence as Christians observe Good Friday.

Badejo gave the charge on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

He called on citizens to love one another irrespective of tribal or religious differences.

The bishop pointed out that love was the most powerful tool to eradicate violence and create a better nation.

Love demands that we work towards justice and fairness as it made God to offer his only son to die for mankind.

Leaders in all spheres; governent, religious, traditional, family, business amongst other should make sacrifices for the well being of their people as Christ exemplified by laying down His life for the world.

They should all collaborate and put aside personal or group interest in order to build a better Nigeria, he said.

He urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Good Friday for sober reflection on the violence and incessant killings around the country.

Jesus on the cross, cried for an end to hatred, corruption, greed, violence and discrimination.

God made a world that is good but human beings must stop destroying one another and ultimately, the world, he said.

Badejo said that Nigerians must realise that every life snuffed was a defeat to humanity and work towards peace and justice.

He, therefore, admonished all to repent of all evil in order to enjoy eternal life as God desired through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

CAN chairman in Kogi, Bishop John Ibenu, on Friday urged people in the state to accept and take the COVID-19 vaccine, saying it is safe.

Ibenu gave the advice in Lokoja when officials of Kogi State Ministry of Health and Kogi Primary Health Care Development Agency paid him an advocacy visit preparatory to receiving COVID-19 vaccines in the state.

He said a stakeholders meeting between CAN National President, His Eminence Dr Ayokunle Samson, the Minister of Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, NAFDAC and others came to the conclusion that COVID-19 is real.

He said the meeting also concluded that it was safe to take the vaccine.

We listened to many presentations by professionals and we carried out our own investigation and concluded that the vaccine is beneficial to mankind and that everyone should accept it.

He assured Nigerians that CAN would be the number one body to stand against anything that could harm anyone.

He stressed that it was against international standard and health practice to introduce anything that would be harmful to humanity, saying, CAN will never be part of anything that will be harmful to humanity.

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe; there is no trick in it; please let us not be left behind.

Ibenu noted that it was not compulsory to take the vaccine and that those who did not want it could stay away.

It is for the benefit of humanity and we certify it to be okay for everybody, he stressed.

The cleric thanked Kogi State government under the leadership of Gov. Yahaya Bello, for all it had done to save lives in the state since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bishop commended the Ministry of Health and the governor in particular for being very open and practical in handling the issue of COVID-19 from the onset.

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, the Kogi government has taken the most pragmatic approach in addressing the situation from Day One of the virus, Ibenu said.

Earlier, Alhaji Acheku Yusuf, Kogi State Health Promotion Officer, said the visit was on the mandate of Kogi government to seek CANs support on COVID-19 vaccination.

He said that Kogi was expected to receive COVID-19 vaccines very soon, and CAN would be needed as one of the critical stakeholders to educate the people.

We want your support in educating people in Kogi to accept the vaccine, but we must not force anybody to take it, Yusuf said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News