By Akeem Abas

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retiredBrig.-Gen Buba Marwa,says the agency will continue to crackdown on all sources of illicit substances in Nigeria.

Marwa disclosed this on Friday during the inauguration of a Behavioural Action Care Foundation Centre in Ogbomodo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Behavioural Centre was built by the Ogbomoso First Group, under its community initiative.

We, in the NDLEA, will continue to crackdown on all sources of illicit substances in the country. We will deny their exportation, we will seize them when we find them and will destroy them, he said.

Marwa lamented the prevalence in use of illicit substances, saying the war against it must be a collective effort.

There is no community in this country that has not suffered from this debilitating disease of drug use, drug abuse and addiction.

We have 14.4 percent of Nigerians between the ages of 16 to 64 who are using drugs, this is three times the global average. Zonally, the South-West has the worst prevalence.

The prevalence in the South-West geo-political zone is 22.4 per cent. Oyo State in particular is 23 per cent. This is followed by the South-South with the prevalence of 16.6 per cent and the South-East 14.8 per cent.

This is followed by the North-East with 18.6 per cent, North-West 12 per cent and North-Central 10 per cent. Kano has a prevalence of 16 per cent. This rate is very high considering its population, he said.

The NDLEA chairman called on parents and other stakeholders to always demand drug-free certificate as a requisite for marriage as well as other important programmes.

He commended the Ogbomoso group and traditional rulers for their support.

NAN reports that Marwa in company with Ogbomoso First Group members, had earlier paid homage to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewole and Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo.

Oyewole thanked Marwa and the Ogbomoso group for their contributions to the town, saying they would also do all within their capability to support them in thewar against the menace.

He called on people to ensure the fight against illicit drugs begins from their homes.

Oladapo, on his part, called on the NDLEA boss to take the war against illicit drugs to a new dimension, for the benefit of the society.

A drug-free society is a prosperous society and that is why we will do all within our ability to support your effort to fight the menace.

As we are doing that, I want to implore you to look ahead and see how we can move forward from the way weve been operating. The way weve been fighting this war.

Let us look for a new dimension to improve the system and what good can be brought out of these so called rot, he said.

Former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala and Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, in their separate goodwill messages, lauded Marwa for transforming the NDLEA.

They also commended the Ogbomoso First Group for the laudable initiative and its contributions to the development of the area.

Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the President, Ogbomoso First Group, bemoaned the alarming rate of drug abuse and addiction among the youth.

He said that the centre, which was part of the groups community initiative, was aimed at rehabilitating those who might be suffering from drug abuse or addiction.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The 35the National Quranic recitation competition has begun in Kano, on Friday, with 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, participating.

Declaring the competition open, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar II, noted that Nigeria had participated severally and won the international version of the Quranic competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sultan was represented at the opening ceremony by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero.

According to him, the previous successes recorded were due to the hard work and dedication of relevant stakeholders, before and during the competitions from the Local Government up to the national level.

He called on the participants to be calm so that they could record more success, urging the officials of the competition to also discharge their duties without favour.

The Sultan commended the state government for establishing an agency to cater for Almajirai and Islamiyya schools, to achieve the desired objectives.

The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje disclosed that his administration was committed to the provision of free and compulsory education, as well as reforming the almajiri system.

Ganduje explained that the almajiri system had been modified with a new curriculum, and enhanced with the establishment of three new mega almajiri schools.

According to Ganduje, the state government had hosted the national Quranic recitation event three times, and had emerged winner several times, saying that the government had accorded Islamic education great importance.

Each of the almajiri schools in the state has a population of at least 1,000 students, as the state will provide technological innovations into the recitation of the Holy Quran. He said.

The Chairman of the Organising committee, the Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Usman Lawal, said the competition was a forum for selecting gifted and talented Muslim youths, who would represent Nigeria at the International Quranic recitation competition.

He added that the competition was also aimed at discovering brilliant Muslim youths for scholarship awards, by state governments, philanthropists, national and international organisations, to pursue higher education.

This would be in addition to fostering unity, peaceful coexistence among Muslim youths, based on the teaching of the Glorious Quran and Hadith for which we all gathered here for. He said.

In view of this, I appeal to the participants, state Coordinators and our distinguished and impartial judges for fair play throughout the programme.

Certainly there are prizes to be won, but we should remember that there are more than prizes at stake; our honour, integrity, and above all, the image of Islam is what we are projecting.

We must, therefore, show by our words and actions that Islam has been, and indeed an embodiment of peace and peaceful co-existence in our nation and beyond. He said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Maureen Okon

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says the retrial of Nigerian, Itunu Babalola, wrongfully incarcerated in Cote Dlvoire, is to commence under a new, unbiased prosecutor.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Gabriel Odu, the commissions Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit officer, and made available to the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN), in Abuja, on Friday.

According to him, following painstaking investigations by the commission and the Nigeria Mission in Abidjan, Cote Divoire, it had now been confirmed that Babalola, a Nigerian living in Abidjan, was wrongfully charged and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit.

Also, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the Charge DAffaires of the Nigerian Mission in Cte DIvoire, Mr Mohammed Gana, had sent officials of the mission to Bondoukou, a city eight hours away from Abidjan, when the case was first brought to his attention.

Gana was quoted as saying that plans were underway to engage the services of a lawyer, to prove the innocence of Babalola at the Court of Appeal, after the accused had spent two out of the 10-year jail term passed on her, for an offense she did not commit.

Reports indicate that the new prosecutor, assigned to the case, has given assurances of a fair and unbiased review and retrial of the case, to secure the release of Babalola.

The reports also indicate that the former prosecutor, in collaboration with the police, allegedly twisted the case and accused Babalola of human trafficking hence her conviction for 20 years , although the sentence was reduced to 10 years from which she has served 2 years so far.

Babalola, whose family is from Oyo state, Nigeria, has been living in Bondoukou, Cote divoire, for a long time but got entangled in a legal battle, when she reported the burglary of her house to the police.

On efforts made to secure her bail, the prosecutor said it is only the court that can grant her bail, as she has already been convicted, we will continue to monitor the case as it unfolds, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ebere Agozie

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 18 candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.

This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of NJC, Soji Oye, on Friday in Abuja.

The council said the decision to recommend the Judges for the various appointments was taken at the 94th Meeting of NJC held on Dec.17 to Dec. 18, 2020 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

The Council further recommended the appointment of eight heads of court, even as it constituted a panel to probe allegations that were brought against a serving judge.

It gave the list of the successful 18 candidates it recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal bench as Justices Bature Gafai, Muhammad Sirajo, Waziri Abdul-Azeez, Yusuf Bashir, Usman A. Musale, Jauro Wakili and Abba Mohammed, Others are Grand Khadi Mohammed Danjuma, Danlami Senchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Hassan Sule, Amadi Ikechukwu, Peter Affen, Sybil Gbagi and Olasumbo O Goodluck.

The NJC listed Justices Banjoko Ibironke, Hon. Olabode Adegbehingbe and Hon. Bola Ademola.

Others are Justices Aisha Aliyu as Chief Judge of Nassarawa State, Sunday Omeiza Otu as Chief Judge of Kogi, Umar Sadiq as Chief Judge of Jigawa, Ngene Elvis as Chief Judge of Ebonyi, and Theresa T. Diai as Chief Judge of Delta.

It further recommended the appointment of Justice a Elumeze as President of Customary Court of Appeal, Delta .

The council also recommended the appointment of Justice Salisu Garba as Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi as Chief Judge of Rivers.

It further recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze as President of Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.

All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by the President, Muhammadu Buhari and their respective state overnors as well as confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective State Houses of Assembly, the statement added.

The NJC said it had also at the meeting, deliberated on the Reports on 24 petitions written against 29 Judges.

The reports were presented by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.

The Council said it decided to empanel an investigation committee against one Judge and issued two strong warning letters against two Judges of the Federal and State High Courts.

It also resolved to set up a Medical Board to ascertain the health status of one Judge.

More so, the NJC said it had also at the meeting, deliberated on the Reports on 24 petitions written against 29 Judges.

Council said Justice Olokoba was also put on the watch list of the Council for his failure to deliver judgment within the constitutional period of 90 days and Hon. Justice Savage was reprimanded for not being in charge of his Court.

The remaining petitions were summarily dismissed for obvious and manifest lack of merit, being subjudice, overtaken by events or that such petitions were matters for appeal.

The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Justices Rita Pemu, Ita G. Mbaba and Theresa Orji-Abadua all of Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal; Justices O. O. Oguntoyinbo and A. Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Anslem A. Nwaigwe, Chief Judge of Ebonyi , Justices M. A. Abubakar, Binta Rijau of Niger State High Court, Maurice Eneji of Cross River and Kulu Aliyu, Chief Judge, Zamfara. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Nwapi

The panel investigating alleged human rights violations committed by police personnel has entered judgment in the sum of N575.8 million against the police.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel, constituted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), is investigating alleged violations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Units of the Nigeria Police.

Mrs Fatimah Mohammed, the deputy director public affairs in the NHRC, in a statement on Friday, said that the panel led by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima, considered 20 of the petitions at its executive session on Thursday.

The executive session considered 20 out of the 44 petitions on non-adherence by the police of court judgments awarding compensations to victims of human rights violations, and decisions were made on each of the petitions otherwise known as judgment debts.

The petitions on judgment debts of about N575.8million were considered ranging from the award of N200 million to 120,000 of cases bordering on extra-judicial killing, unlawful arrest and detention.

Others are cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture, alleged enforce disappearance , confiscation of property etc, the commission said.

The NHRC said the panel agreed that the victims of human rights who got court judgments should be paid.

On how the judgment debts would be paid, the secretary to the panel, Hillary Ogbonna, said the police would have to make a commitment to respect court orders while part of the money will be paid from the human rights compensation funds which are expected to be paid for such purposes.

Apart from assisting the victims of human rights violations to get their compensation paid, Ogbonna said the panel has also taken a decision to order the police authority to issue apologies to some of the petitioners who have issuance of apology as part of their compensation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Benson Ezugwu

Dr Janet Ekpenyong, the Director-General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), says the state has started official administration of AstraZeneca vaccine to the public across its 28 Local Government Areas.

She stated this in Calabar while speaking to newsmen at the end of the stakeholders meeting on the COVID-19 roll out in the state on Friday.

Ekpenyong said that 53,840 doses of vaccine were meant for the state.

According to her, 19 persons, including frontline workers, had on March 11, taken the vaccine.

This was to convince people that it is safe and not poisoned as speculated by people in certain quarters, she said.

She added that the vaccination would last for 10 days, from March 19, until March 29.

The first group, targeted for vaccination are health and frontline workers, people from 50 years and above, then 18 years and above.

We are hoping that the state will by next year attain 70 per cent coverage, she said.

Also, speaking the Director, Disease Surveillance in the state, Mrs Joy Chabo, said that 95 sites spread across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state were designated for the exercise.

Chabo said that her office had successfully trained Vaccine Accountability Officers (VAOs) as well as installed Solar-Driven Device for the potency of the vaccines.

We have also trained Chief Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) at the Local Government levels to sustain sensitisation and orientation of people at the grassroots to the importance of taking the vaccine, she said.

She said that the Monitoring and Evaluation Department was in charge of electronic registration and data collection and for the recording of adverse conditions, if any, during the exercise.

Health workers are already well trained to write a report every day.

The COVID-19 state team will be holding meetings every evening, starting from 5p.m. to ensure that everything moves smoothly until the end of the exercise, Chabo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Zubairu Idris

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has threatened to embark on strike from April 6, over what it described as unresolved issues with the Federal Government and some states.

ASUP gave the notice in a communique at the end of its 99th National Executive Council meeting on Friday, in Katsina.

In the communique, signed by its President, Mr Anderson Ezeibe, ASUP said the decision was to draw governments attention to the need to release the 10 months arrears of the new minimum wage, owed its members in federal polytechnics.

The association also demanded that some state governments should pay up arrears of the new minimum wage owed state polytechnic lecturers.

There is the need to implement the contents of the NEEDS Assessment report of 2014 in public polytechnics and similar institutions.

Another issue also is the reconstitution of Governing Councils in all federal polytechnics and some state-owned polytechnics where such is yet to be constituted.

Others are the full implementation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, as well as its domestication in Adamawa, Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Niger and other affected states, it said.

ASUP further called for the release of salaries owed staff in Abia, Ogun, Osun, Benue, Plateau, Edo and Cross River, as well as the implementation of full salary payments in Sokoto, Kaduna, Adamawa and others.

It appealed to the government to withdraw the letter containing unsubstantiated claims of PAYE tax liabilities in 19 federal polytechnics.

The communique also urged Kano and Kaduna governments, to implement the 65 years retirement age for academic staff in their tertiary institutions.

The association, in the communique, concluded that; By this resolution, ASUP members are requested to prepare for a full scale showdown until the unions demands are met. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Liverpool have been drawn against Real Madrid in the European Champions League quarter-finals, a repeat of the 2018 final, with Chelsea facing surprise package FC Porto.

In the draws held on Friday at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, Holders Bayern Munich face last years losing finalists Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

While Premier League leaders Manchester City will battle Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

The first legs of this seasons quarter-final clashes will take place on April 6 and 7, with the return dates being staged a week later.

Semi-final encounters are slated for April 27 and 28, with the second legs a week later.

The Champions League final will take place on May 29 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.

European Champions League Quarter Finals Draw

1. Manchester City (England) vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

2. FC Porto (Portugal) vs Chelsea (England)

3. Bayern Munich (Germany) vs PSG (France)

4. Real Madrid (Spain) vs Liverpool (England)

Source: NAN News

By Bayo Olawunmi

Jenkins Alumona, Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Promotions has been named as Chairman of the Lagos State Boxing Association (LSBA).

Alumona was sworn-in at the inauguration ceremony of the board members of the various Lagos State Sports associations conducted by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC)at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, on Friday.

Also inaugurated on the LSBA board were Anthony Adeyinka as Vice-Chairman, boxing legend and Coach, Joe Mensah; Damilola James, Koye Sowemimo and Oluwadare Afolayan as members.

Sola Aiyepeku, Executive Chairman of the Lagos state sports commission, said the new board members were appointed following their keen interest and contributions to sports development, as well as their service to humanity.

Aiyepeku charged the new appointees to transform their associations in line with the commissions aimof building a sustainable, vibrant sports industry.

He also urged them to organise at least two events every quarter to drive the discovery and development of talents at all levels, including students and youths.

The chairman also directed all associations to hold their inaugural meetings before the end of the month and chart a new course forLagos state sports.

Alumona in his reactionsaid it wastime for the state boxing board to harness the great potentials represented via the over 750 boxing clubs across Lagos with 22,000 registered members.

This, he said, included young boxers from the age of 10 upwards.

Flykite Promotions is the promoter and organiser of GOtv Boxing Night, the biggest boxing event in Nigeria.

Other chairmen inaugurated included, Adebiyi Fetuga for Golf, Yemi Adeyeye for Volleyball, Biodun Ogidan for Baseball, Lekan Thomas for Chess, Tokunbor Agoro for Lawn Tennis and Frank Ozomah for Cycling. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Non-essential travel restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico landborder will remain in place until at least April 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Friday.

The travel restrictions also apply to the U.S.-Canada border.

To prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and in coordination with our partners in Canada and Mexico, the U.S. is extending the restrictions on non-essential travel at our land borders through April 21, while ensuring continued flows of essential trade and travel.

Sunday will mark one year since this measure was first put in place and it has been extended every month.

Informed by science and public health guidance, we will work with our counterparts to identify an approach to easing restrictions when conditions permits.

Also, with the protection of our citizens from COVID-19 at the forefront of our minds, the DHS said on its Twitter.

Edgar Ramirez, the DHS attach at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said in another statement although vaccination campaigns give us hope that COVID-19 could begin to be controlled, we cannot let our guard down yet.

The Mexican government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed through its Twitter account what was said by its U.S. counterparts.

Mexico also will impose restrictions on all land traffic for non-essential activities on its northern and southern borders starting Friday.

This week, Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, indicated that a reopening could be considered once Mexicos border states move into the least restrictive green tier.

Until on Thursday, Sonora was the only state at the north border that had reached that level, according to Mexican health authorities.

In a recent visit to San Diego, Roberto Velasco, Mexicos Foreign Ministry officer for the North America region, said Mexico and the U.S. were working on a plan for a safe and gradual reopening of the common border.

It is something that depends on the pandemic and how it develops on both sides of the border. We hope to at least have news soon of what the route to achieving this will be.

The border will continue to stay open for essential travel, which includes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, individuals traveling to attend educational institutions.

Also, for emergency response and public health purposes, lawful cross-border trade, and individuals traveling for essential work, among other reasons deemed essential, Velasco said in an interview in late February. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News