Buhari prays at Grand Mosque Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Federal Government on Thursday urged Nigerians to make themselves available for the National Population and Housing Census billed for May.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the call at a townhall meeting in Kano organised by the National Publicity Committee on the census.

The minister, represented by the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, said the census was aimed at collating data for effective national planning.

He dismissed insinuations that the census questionnaire would ascertain the religion of respondents as falsely portrayed on some social media platforms.

Mohammed insisted that the data obtained were solely for national planning and development purposes as well as help in improving the nations security architecture.

The town hall meeting, he said, was organised to create the requisite awareness about the forthcoming exercise.

He stressed that the stakeholders were invited to obtain information and feedback from the grassroots in order to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The minister also said that the publicity committee was working hard to tackle fake news and misinformation on the exercise.

Some of the participants, who spoke with NAN, advised the National Population Commission to embark on more sensitisation programmes.

The National Housing and Population Census would begin on May 3. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Mufutau Ojo)

Source: NAN News

Conference on promotion of African women rights

By Justina Auta

Baobab for Womens Human Rights (BAOBAB), an NGO, has called for the promotion of the human rights of women in Anglophone West-African (AWA) countries.

BAOBABs Executive Director, Ms Bunmi Dipo-Salami, made the call during a virtual regional convening of state and non-state actors in AWA with the theme, Changing the course of womens rights in West Africa with the Maputo Protocol.

Dipo-Salami noted that the Maputo Protocol (MP) recognised all human rights as womens rights including the right to life, dignity, integrity, security, health and reproductive rights, access to justice, womens political participation rights, among others.

The Protocol is against all forms of gender-based violence such as limited access to properties and Child marriage.

It also helps in access to education and health care for women in Africa.

The protocol has done much since it came into force. However, there is still much to be done to ensure that womens rights are fully protected and realised in practice, she said.

She added that to achieve the ultimate goal of the protocol which is that women and girls in Africa can fully enjoy their rights, it should be incorporated in domestic laws to enable its full implementation in the region.

Similarly, Ms Olamide Falana, Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Gender, attributed some of the challenges in acceptance and implementation of the protocol to issues around cultural divides.

Falana, while referring to Article 14 of the protocol on the rights of womens health, said that the discussion around safe abortion in Nigeria stemmed from cultural and religious perspectives where women did not have full autonomy over their bodies.

She said: It is one thing to have the protocol accepted, it is another for it to be a tool that everyone is willing to work with and use across cultural divides within a nation.

As such, women still require consent from a man over issues pertaining to their bodies.

Though the protocol also speaks to the right of access to medical care, several factors affect a womans access to medical care.

You can only demand medical care when it is available within your community. When it is not available, your right is limited, she said.

Also, Mrs Olubunmi Adelugba, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, recalled that the MP was introduced to Nigeria by the African Union (AU) as an attempt to protect and promote womens rights in West Africa.

Adelugba stressed the importance of political will in domestication and implementation of laws that improved the lives of women and girls.

She noted that Ekiti had established some forms of laws for the protection of women as contained in the provisions of the MP.

These laws are always active but the only problem they face is lack of reporting by the victims of injustices who are mainly women and girls.

And this happens due to religious and cultural beliefs stigma. It is only when a case is reported that such laws will be in effect, she said.

Ms Hanna Forster, Executive Director, African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) from Gambia, said lack of technical knowledge and expertise on reporting was a challenge that persists across the five AWA countries.

Forster, therefore, urged CSOs to sharpen their skills and become conversant with the guidelines developed by the African Commission for shadow reporting.

She also stressed the need to simplify and translate the protocol, as well as litigate and bring cases to the African Court of Justice and Human Rights or the ECOWAS Court of Justice if member states fell short of their commitments.

Also, Ms Lilian Ibeh, Programme Officer, Alliances for Africa (AFA) Nigeria, harped on the need for more strategies that would help the domestication of the protocol leveraging data, the media, and partnerships to address the issues.

NAN reports that the meeting was organised by Baobab with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through Equality Now and the Solidarity for African Womens Rights (SOAWR).

The project is being implemented by the Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa (IGED-Africa), Ghana; Young Liberian Women Organisation for Improvement (WOFIM), Liberia.

Others are Alliances for Africa (AfA), BAOBAB for Womens Human Rights and Womens Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), in Nigeria.

The virtual conference was part of a Joint Cluster Advocacy Campaign by the AWA member organisations of SOAWR, a coalition of over 80 civil society organisations working across 33 countries in Africa.

The regional convening had in attendance 50 participants from the five AWA countries The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo, VC Salem University Lokoja

The members of staff, students and Alumni Association of Salem University Lokoja on Thursday, lauded the pragmatic transformative visions and drive of their Vice Chancellor , Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo.

The Universitys Registrar, Dr. Emmanuel Adejoh, gave the commendation in a statement in Lokoja, to celebrate the records of Akubo who celebrated his 50th birthday.

The registrar said that the huge infrastructure development of Salem University was solely due to the visions and pragmatic efforts of the young and energetic Vice Chancellor.

Adejoh described Akubo as a fine administrator, disciplinarian and quintessential leader of tremendous impact, not only to Salem University, but to Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.

We, today felicitate our Vice Chancellor, whose Golden Age can best be described as Gods divine gift and grace upon him, looking at what he has so far attained in life.

Aside being a young administrator, Akubo is a Pastor in Gods Vineyard, working assiduously at spreading the gospel of Truth for the salvation of souls from the societal ills ravaging the entire globe as well as impacting on students by transforming them into global change agents.

At joining Salem University Lokoja, Akubo served as the pioneer Coordinator, Mass Communication Programme, Deputy Dean, College of Management and Social Sciences and Deputy Director, Academic Planning between August, 2016 and July 2017.

He said that with impactful leader, the institution had been able to have virtually all its courses accredited by the National University Commission (NUC).

The registrar, however, said that it was a thing of joy that the entire staff, students and Alumni Association of Salem University Lokoja joined other well wishers in celebrating such a man in Akubo.

He is truly a shining example to all Nigerian youths, the registrar said.

Adejoh said, on behalf of staff, students and Alumni Association of the Salem University Lokoja, I wish Prof. Akubo, more divine wisdom, knowledge, sound health, peace and joy as he celebrates his 50th birthday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

The National Population Commission (NPC) has postponed indefinitely, the training for Enumerators and Supervisors earlier slated for April 13.

Dr Ipalibo Harry, Chairman Census Committee told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Harry assured that the postponement would not affect the conduct of the Population and Housing Census scheduled to hold from May 3 to May 7.

He said that the commission was ready to conduct a credible census, adding that they had already concluded the training of Quality Data Managers and others.

The census committee chairman said a new date for the training of the enumerators and supervisors would be communicated as soon as possible. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has evacuated 152 Nigerians, who are stranded and lived as illegal immigrants in Libya, to Nigeria.

The evacuated Nigerians whose return was facilitated under the FG-IOM Voluntary Repatriation Exercise, arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening.

Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge Daffiares en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The Envoy noted that this was the third exercise the Federal Government and IOM had carried out in 2023, with a successful evacuation of nearly 500 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria already.

Today, we have successfully evacuated another 152 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria.

Libya is a transit country for irregular migrants to the Western and other parts of the world. Whenever these irregular migrants can no longer continue their journey to expected destinations, they become stranded here.

Because of their status as undocumented immigrants, they become vulnerable to exploitation and degrading treatment, including forced labour and prostitution.

The Federal Government is determined to protect the rights of these migrants and will continue to facilitate their safe and voluntary return home.

This is the third exercise we have conducted this year. We evacuated almost 4,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya in 2022 and we hope to surpass that number this year, Musa said.

Musa appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and IOM for facilitating the exercise.

He also thanked the Libyan authority for their support and cooperation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

Tapshin community in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, has conferred the title of Jagaban Tapshin on Prof. Suleiman Bogoro

By Ephraims Sheyin

The Tapshin community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State has conferred the title of Jagaban Tapshin on Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The honour, according to its traditional ruler, Dauda Godit, is in recognition of his efforts toward national and community development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bogoro was decorated with the regalia and title during the areas 2023 cultural festival held at the Community Secondary School, Tapshin on Tuesday.

Godit eulogised Bogoro for impacting on the lives of the community in the past 20 years.

According to the traditional ruler, the former TETFund boss assisted the community with educational facilities as well as bursaries to its students.

He also initiated other developmental projects even before he was appointed to lead TETFund in 2014, he said.

Godit commended Bogoro for the landmark achievements recorded when he served at TETFund, saying that he lifted tertiary education in Nigeria to its desired position.

The Chief said that almost all public tertiary institutions in the country benefitted from infrastructural developments and capacity building programmes when Bogoro led the agency.

The traditional ruler praised the innovative policies initiated by Bogoro in research and development as a way of contributing to national development.

On social relationships, Godit eulogised Bogoros efforts in bringing together people across tribes and religious divide in Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency.

His focus is always on development and progress. He has done so well, Godit said.

Responding, the recipient noted that it was his deliberate policy to ensure that all ethnic nationalities and religions lived in harmony.

My policy is that if you eat in your house, you should also assist your neighbours to eat because if they are hungry, it means you are also hungry, he said.

Bogoro, who noted that his assistance to Tapshin Community dated back to when he was a senior lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, promised to do even more.

He urged guests invited for the event which featured fund raising for water projects, to assist the community achieve its goals.

The former TETFund boss commended Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for the construction of the Bogoro-Lusa-Mallar and Boi-Tapshin roads, saying that the projects had opened up the communities around the area.

Bogoro urged the people of the state to continue to support the Governor in his efforts to provide development to the state.

The cultural festival, which is tagged Kang Khishi Masur 2023, was graced by a huge crowd that included Prof. Sylvester Shikyil (SAN) of the Law Faculty University of Jos, Dr Justina Deshi, among others.

The event also featured traditional dancers across towns and villages in Tapshin communities as well as Zaar Cultural dancers. (NAN) (nannewsngr.com)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Source: NAN News

By Gregory Mmaduakolam

The Evergreen G6 Club, a Non-Governmental Organisaion (NGO) has donated some food items worth N300,000 to Rachels Home for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Kurudu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bamidele Olujobi, the President of the Club, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Olujobi , represented by the Secretary of the club, Mr Philip Akpa, said that the items donated to the orphanage home included bags of rice, cartons of indomie noodles and cartons of spaghetti

Other food items are yams, toiletries, bags of salt, kegs of groundnut oil, palm oil, bags of beans and beverages.

According to Olujobi, needs of the vulnerable and orphans should not be left for only the governments and the owners of the organisations.

He said God Almighty had blessed the members of the organisation and they were now giving back to the society.

Some of these homes like Rachels Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provided the opportunity for us to give back to the needy and the vulnerable in the society.

Particularly this period every member of this club, who is a Christian, is celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which is Easter and this is the period, where every child will need a touch of a parent and need for somebody to celebrate with them.

So, we said we should come here to celebrate Easter with them in a way they will not feel the absence of their biological parents , as we are standing in as their parents today, he said.

Olujobi, said the club had given scholarships to several vulnerable and indigents students up to university level, adding that eight students were recently registered for WAEC and NECO exams by the organisation.

He explained that the club had previously visited the Old Peoples Home in Kardo, FCT and Apo Mechanic Village as well as the orphanage home in Masaka in the Nasarawa State.

He said the club has annual projects it carries out every year in order to assist the vulnerable and the needy and had donated item like braille for the school of blind.

He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention on supervision and monitoring of the orphanage homes and schools for the vulnerable in order to check the incidence of childs trafficking and kidnapping.

Olujobi, also advised the governments to establish vocation facilities such as tailoring, mason, carpentry and barbing salon where these vulnerable and needy children could be trained as well as paying of school fees for them.

He also called on the Federal Government to reduce the issues of banditry and terrorism which always gave rise to orphans and vulnerable children who lost their parents as a result of these factors.

Dr Oladele Oluayinka, Chairman, Project Committee of the club, said the club had 30 financial members who had the passion to help the need and vulnerable, hence they came together to form the club in order to assist them.

Oluayinka, said since the establishment of the club in 2011, it had spent over N5 million in order to provide succour for the needy and vulnerable children.

Earlier, Mr Pedro Odewu, Admin Director, of the orphanage home, thanked the club and expressed satisfaction for the food items it gifted to the home.

He urged the federal and state governments to come to their aid; as they have over 83 children; infants and adolescent who required a lot of monies and personnel to take care of them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News