By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday met behind closed doors with Chadian President, Field Marshal Idriss Deby Itno, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chadian leader, who arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12.15 p.m., was welcomed by Buhari at the forecourt of the villa.

NAN gathered that the two leaders would deliberate on sub-regional issues including security challenges occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram.

Buhari and the Chadian leader last met face-to-face in June 2019 on the sidelines of the Ogainisation of Islamic Conference summit in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Buhari last visited NDjamena, the Chadian capital, in April 2019 where he participated in a one-day Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.

NAN also gathered that the Chadian leader, who is standing for re-election for a sixth term, may brief the Nigerian leader on the forthcoming Chads presidential election on April 11, 2021.

Deby, who has ruled Chad for 30 years, began his campaign for a sixth term on March 13, calling for unity after rival protests were banned.

The Chadian leader is expected to brief the media at the end of his one-day official visit to Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, are among those in the forecourt to welcome Deby.

Others include the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Mohammed Bello.

Source: NAN News

By John Amieyeofori/Patience Aliyu
Mrs Cecelia Gayya, the Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), says the institution is partnering with relevant stakeholders in order to boost its visibility across the world.

Gayya said this on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle.

The director general, who said the mandate of the institution revolves around training, research and consultancy, canvassed for collaboration with NAN and other stakeholders in the execution of its programmes.

We want the world to know our areas of strength and competencies through our visibility, whether national or international.

We have come to NAN to leverage on the expertise of the agency in order to achieve success, she said.

Ponle, in his remarks, said ASCON had not been getting the desired recognition it deserved as a citadel of excellence.

According to Ponle, ASCON has not gained its pride of place because it is under reported in spite of its endowed human resources.

When you talk about Badagry, it is tourism and slave trade that come to mind, hardly can any one mention ASCON, he said.

He, however, pledged to strengthen the agencys collaboration with the college to enable it deliver on its mandate by providing adequate publicity for its activities.

Ponle, who recalled the two-week training programme for chief executives of parastatal agencies which he attended at the institution, noted that the college has well qualified staff that can compete globally.

He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to collaborate with the college in building the capacity of their staff.

Ponle also called on the management of the college to intensify efforts in the conduct of research as one of its primary activities.

ASCON should do all it can to ensure that researches are put where they belong.

If researches are done, many of the mistakes individuals, organisations or countries make would be reduced or eliminated, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Kado

The British Council has trained 150 officials towards a successful implementation of the Adamawa State Anti-corruption Strategy, Dr Ada Chidi-Igbokwe, its Lead Consultant on Anti-corruption, said on Friday in Yola.

She spoke at the training of the last batch of officials nominated for the exercise.

According to her, the participants were drawn from different Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

The goal is to fight corruption in the state.

The state has developed an anti-corruption strategy and also developed the implementation tools.

We are supporting the initiative in the area of capacity development, she explained.

She said that the objective was to build the capacity of the implementation officers to ensure successful implementation of the strategy.

According to her, permanent secretaries were also trained on their roles toward a successful implementation of the programme in their respective ministries.

She added that monitoring and evaluation teams were being deployed to the MDAs to assess the success of the exercise.

Mr Mohammed Abdulkarim, a participant, commended the resource persons and described the training as a good initiative.

We have learned a lot. We are ready for a successful implementation of the programme in our respective MDAs, he said.

Saidu Hamman, another participant, said that the training was crucial to the success of the efforts to rid Adamawa of unwholesome tendencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the countrys leaders and to join hands with them to develop the country.

The Emir made the call on Friday at the Tijjaniyya Islamic Religious Movement national prayer for peace and unity in Nigeria held at the Abuja National Mosque.

He stressed the need for peaceful coexistence, which he said was critical to the development of the country

The traditional ruler, who led other Muslim clerics to pray for the country and its leaders, expressed pleasure over the gathering, which he said aimed at fostering the unity of the country.

I am extremely delighted to be in this town and in this place, the National Mosque Abuja to put our heads together to pray for the unity, peace, harmony and progress of our nation.

We are gathered together here today for the purpose of peace, unity and stability of the country, he said.

The Emir said the gathering showed that the people loved their country and had respect for the authorities.

He thanked Allah for the opportunity to gather and pray for the country and also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him and other Muslim clerics the opportunity to meet with him earlier in the day at the Presidential Villa.

The Emir, who pledged to keep praying for the countrys leaders to have the heart to positively impact on the lives of the people, thanked Muslim faithful and clerics for supporting the prayer

He, however, urged the people to be patient with their leaders, adding that there was need for all hands to be on deck to ensure the success of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in attendance, were the Estu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and other Muslim clerics.

The prayer was led by the World leader of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Religious Movement, Sheikh Muhammadul Mahy Niass and the Grand Khalifa Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

The Dahiru Bauchi advised religious leaders in the country to continue to preach and pray for peace of the country.

According to him, it is only when there is peace that the country can progress and make meaningful development.

Special prayers were offered for national peace and progress and for the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Prayers were also offered for the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians and for President Buhari to deliver on his campaign promises to the people.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Billiri, Gombe State Command, has empowered 339 inmates, with various vocational skills at the centre, in the past three years.

Mr Christopher Jen, Deputy Controller of the centre, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday, at Billiri, headquarters of Billiri Local Government Area.

Jen said from 2018 to date, 339 inmates were trained on skills acquisition and 106 in on literacy, post literacy and extra mural classes.

According to him, 94 of the inmates trained on vocational skills had been discharged, 124 graduated, while 121 are currently undergoing training.

He said that the inmates were allowed to pick vocations of interest to them, as this is a way of ensuring that no one is forced to do what he does not want to do.

Once you pick your vocation, learning is easy because one will be self-motivated, he said.

Jen stated that the essence of the training was to reform the minds, as well as empower inmates, in line with the mandate of the correctional service on reformation, rehabilitation and re-integration of inmates.

We had to emphasise on vocational training, because the crime rate is somehow associated with lack of jobs.

Inmates here are largely within the ages of 18 and 23 years. They are supposed to be productive. If there are no jobs for them, the society will not know peace, when they leave this facility.

If we dont help them with this vocational training, as a means of livelihood, there will be increase in crime. The major solution to reducing crime rate is providing employment.

Government alone cannot do it; so the service deemed it fit to correct, as well as give them empowerment through the different skills programmes they can rely on, he said.

Jen stated that the inmates were being trained on knitting and design, laundry, aluminium pot making, building, barbing, carpentry, bag making, hand fan weaving, tailoring, cap making, cosmetology, tie and dye and literacy.

While stating that the major challenge was getting funding to purchase materials for the training of the inmates, Jen appealed to the Gombe state government to support the programme by assisting trained inmates with starter packs.

The deputy controller advised youths in the state to shun crimes and engage in productive ventures, through the acquisition of vocational skills, so as to impact on the society.

He further advised youths to shun drug abuse of any form, saying, please lets be creative positively and individually to contribute to our countrys development which can only happen when youths acquire skills. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Mrs Ene Obi, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria has called for the unity of Nigerian women to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

Obi said this in Abuja on Friday at the end of Project Learning and Dissemination meeting on Women-Led Integrated Protection Action Against Gender-Based Violence (WIPeE-GBV) project.

She expressed worry over the silence culture of women toward GBV cases, saying the society is not protecting its citizens.

She lamented the pace at which GBV cases were withdrawn from the court, while calling on stakeholders to rise above GBV in the country.

On Dec. 8, 2020, ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officially launched a five-month project targeted toward protecting the rights of women and girls from GBV exacerbated by COVID-19 in Edo, Niger and Adamawa states.

The implementation of this project gave us better insight into the unique context of addressing violence against women and girls amidst pandemic, especially in conflict settings.

We have been able to get to the communities and bring out a lot of cases on GGBV. It is an overwhelming episode this time because of the increase in violence occasion by COVID-19.

There is a lot of mobilisation in some of those communities and more cases are being held while some of the cases are being done.

What is of concern to us is the culture of silence. The society is not protecting its citizens because we are not very happy that some cases were withdrawn from court, she said.

Obi called on women to rise up as the 2023 election drew near to take their position to completely eradicate GBV in the country.

Mrs Fatima Kakure, the Special Assistant to the Speaker, House of Representative on Gender Equality and Social Development, said there were huge gaps in services that survivorsneeded.

Kakure identify the gaps as provision for protection, especially within the police and justice system which were unaffordable, inaccessible and stalled over time or of low quality.

According to her, relevant authorities arehinderedby low capacity in addressing the issues for example, lack of evidence, interest and knowledge of how to handle these cases.

Corruption and demands for bribes in events that survivors are disadvantaged, discrimination and social norms that transfer blame the survivor rather than the perpetrator, resulting in settlements outside of court.

This is owing to the lack of capacity and skills in handling the issue.

TheSpeaker of theHouse of Representatives inhisobligation to deliver institutionalisation ofcoping strategies and Access to Justice for survivors of Victims of GBV had convened an advocacy meeting with the Conference of State Speakers.

This is to advocate the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015, and we are happy to note that the outcomes since that engagement has been the additional domestication in nine other states, she said.

She, therefore, commended ActionAid, FCDO and partners for continuing to accelerate pragmatic approaches in tackling the cross-cutting issues of GBV through multiple initiatives such as the WIPE-GBV which had affected the most vulnerable groups.

In the same vein, Dr Ranatu Hassan, the great granddaughter of Queen Amina of Zaria commended ActionAid for taking the lead in eradicating GBV across the country.

Hassan was worried that parents contributed to not allowing victims of GBV get justice for wrong melted down on them.

She prayed the project be extended to accommodate many other girls and women experiencing GBV whose voiced had not been heard.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen said that the ministry was working to ensure total elimination of GBV in the country.

Tallen, represented by Mr Femi Alaka, a Director in the ministry, stressed the need for the sustenance of such programmes, noting that the ministry had established the inter-ministerial committee to address issues around GBV.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme within the five-months of its launch had benefited 1,133 with protection support services for survivors of violence in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adewumi
Some stakeholders in the Agriculture and Environment sectors are set to establish a multi stakeholder gender sensitive platform, for advocacy on nutritional food security in the country.

HajIa Salamatu Garba, Founder, Women Farmers Advanced Network and Lead Consultant on UNDP-GEF food security project, said on Friday in Abuja that the platform became necessary to foster food security.

She added that it would also enhance sustainability resilience of food production systems in Nigeria.

According to her, the project is supported by United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to implement a five-year project.

The WOFAN boss said there was the need for stakeholders in the agriculture sector to come together to see how to enhance policy and institutional enabling environment, in a bid to achieve improved food security in a resilient and value chain driven manner.

She however appealed to the members to put the interest of the group in their hearts and work to ensure that the aim of the project was realized.

Most project die after one to two years because people make money their priority and not the interest of the project.

Let us not be sentimental, we should see the project as our own people, let us commit ourselves to see that this project work, she said.

Ms Rhoda Dia, Project Manager, Resilient Food Security Project, said that the overgoal of the project was to enhance long term sustainability and resistance of food production systems in Nigeria.

She further reiterated the need to enhance the policy and institutional environment for achieving improved food security in a sustainable resilient and value chain driven manner.

There is need to reduce gender disparities in agricultural production, which affect overall sector performance, she said.

According to her, the multi stakeholder gender sensitive platform is to advocate for sustainable agricultural and improved food and nutrition security.

The platform will enable consistent advocate for a fairer deal for small scale farmers, for improvements in decision making on food production processing utilisation and marketing, she added.

Mr Oladipo Osibo, UNDP Nigeria Climate Change Unit Representative, said women must play a dominant role in nutritional food development and wealth generation.

He however commended them for availing themselves the opportunity to serve and ensure that Nigeria addressed the issue of food insecurity and poverty.

Mr Peter Dama, Chairman Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) commended the UNDP- GEF project and WOFAN, for bring together various stakeholders in the agriculture sector to foster sustainable food security.

He also emphasised the need for stakeholders in agriculture sector to be alive to their responsibilities and see how women could be empowered to improve food production, processing and marketing.

Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, Principal Agricultural Extension Specialist Rural Development Consultant, commended the organiser of the project aimed at ensuring food security.

Source: NAN News

Former President Olusegun Obasanjos son, Mr Olujunwo Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to support Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi in the governors desire to become Nigerias president in 2023.

The younger Obasanjo, who is popularly known as Junwo Obasanjo, said that Nigeria needed a youthful president in the next political dispensation to drive the nation positively.

Obasanjo made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit on Bello in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement by the Chief Secretary to the Governor, Mr Onogwu Mohamed.

Mohammed cited Obasanjo as saying that electing a young person as president would engender good governance, nation building and foster national integration.

Obasanjo described the clamour by Bellos friends and associates for the governor to run for president in 2023 as timely.

He said that youths had been neglected for a long time in Nigeria, noting that almost all the elder statesmen in the country, including his father had ruled Nigeria in their youthful years.

Obasanjo described Bello as a beacon of hope, urging the governor to step up his aspiration to create leadership space for youths.

Nigerian youths have been neglected for too long, despite their numerical strength and huge contributions in the electioneering processes.

They have been denied space to manifest their aspirations in political decision making for too long.

The energy and patriotism of the youths can never be in doubt.

At 35 to 45 years of age, current elder statesmen like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and of course my father, Olusegun Obasanjo were at their best in leadership.

Total inclusion of youths in governance is a catalyst for fruitful, timely and productive governance template for the people.

With a Bello presidency, there is no doubt that youths of competence and patriotic valour under the age of 27-30 can be ministers.

Obasanjo lauded the governor for his fight against insecurity,infrastructural development drive and proactive leadership in resolving the food blockade crisis.

He, however, charged Bello to remain resolute and unshaken in his audacious push to occupy the seat of power in 2023.

You must remain resolute, stoic and not give in to intimidation, name-calling or sorts. Your audacity is a big re-awakening to Nigerian youths and this has given us more hope and confidence today.

Bello thanked Obasanjo for the visit and for his words of encouragement.

He said that at the appropriate time for him to run for presidency, he was sure that youths would give him needed support. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the appointment of Mr Sunday Hyat as the new Head of Service of the State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the governors Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Friday in Jos.

Macham said the appointment followed the retirement of the Head of Service, Mr Izam Azi, which would take effect on March 28, when he would have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

According to the statement, the new Head of Service was until his appointment, the Permanent Secretary, General Administration in the office of the Head of Service.

It said Hyat had also been Permanent Secretary in ministries of Work and Lands, Survey and Town Planning and an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru.

The new head of service was born on Feb. 3, 1963 in Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area. He studied Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

The statement also said that Hyat is a former Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Jos branch, fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers and is also registered with the American Society of Civil Engineers.

It said the governor thanked the outgoing head of service for his patriotic and diligent service to the state.

The statement said the governor had also approved the appointment of 14 new Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.

Those appointed include: Mr Ishaya Turba, Mr Istifanus John, Mr Ibrahim Kam, Mr Alfred Datoel, Mr Jacob Keng, Mr Ambrose Danjuma and Mrs Annastesia Dongjur.

Others include, Mr Jesse Miri, Mr Alexander Plangnan, Mrs Kande Gotom, Mr Fanto John Nanghin, Mr Selfa Dashe, Mr Nanlop Gupiya and Mr Sunday Biggs.

The new head of service and new permanent secretaries will be sworn in on March 29, the statement added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Father of new-born triplets delivered at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja, Mr Ozigi Samson, 35, on Friday sought financial support to offset hospital bills.

Samson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, that he would also need financial support for the childrens upkeep.

His wife, Faith Samson, 34, was delivered of the triplets, two males and one female on March 24 through Caesarean Section (CS).

The mother and the triplets are in good condition in the hospital, but Samson said he needed financial assistance of Kogi State government and those of other well-meaning Nigerians.

Samson, an indigene of Obehira Community in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi lost his job to COVID-19 in 2020.

God has blessed us with two girls before, thinking that after this third one we will close everything, but God decided to bless us with triplets.

Now, God blessed us with triplets (two boys and one girl); we did not plan for it, but God blessed us.

I am an applicant and HND holder in Accounting and my wife is a private school teacher. I used to work at a bank as a marketer until we were laid off in 2020 due to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

As at now, I am unemployed seeking for job. I am stranded and cannot afford to pay the medical bills of my wife and the three babies not to talk of their feeding and upkeep.

We are begging for financial help and other helps. My wife and I are appealing to well-wishers and well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid, he pleaded.

We are particularly begging the Kogi State government to come to our aid to be able to pay our hospital bills and cater for these children.

I did not plan for it, but God decided to bless me with three children at once, please I need help, he added.

Faith also appealed to the state government, NGOs and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to assist. (NAN)

Source: NAN News