By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has elected Mr Collins Achakpekri as its Director for International Relations to coordinate affairs of all youths of the region in abroad to ameliorate the several challenges facing them.

The National Coordinator of NDYC, Mr Jator Abido, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the election of a director for International Relations became pertinent following barrage of complaints of poor funding and welfare by youths.

These youths are undergoing scholarship programmes sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty Programme and other beneficiary from other multi-national oil companies.

Achakpekri has been charged with the responsibility of managing the interest of all the youths from all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region, and to also liaise with the various High Commissions overseas without undermining the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari

The International Desk of NDYC is, therefore, set up to address the many complaints and protests from the youths of Niger Delta in Diaspora. Achakpekriwill operate from the international desks of the Council in the UK.

It is our firm belief that the newly elected director will give his best to the elevation of the Niger Delta youths abroad as good Ambassadors and also to attract development programmes to the nation, Abido said.

Abido also noted that the choice of Achakpekri was a consensus vote via zoom by all executive members of the NYDC.

Source: NAN News

By Hussaina Yakubu

Gov. Nasir El Rufai on Wednesday received the Kaduna State 2020 Annual Security Report, in which 937 people were said to have been killed by bandits and 1,972 kidnapped within the period.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, presented the report at a ceremony in Kaduna.

According to Aruwan, victims of the kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities cut across all ethnic and religious groups in the state, contrary to skewed narratives from some quarters.

Victims of criminal acts like banditry and kidnapping are to be found across ethnic, religious or political leanings and persuasions, he pointed out.

The commissioner said the total number of deaths linked to banditry and other forms of violence in 2020 in the state was 937.

Of this number, Igabi LG has the highest figure of 152, followed by Kajuru with a figure of 144.

He added that Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local governments in KadunaCentralSenatorial District accounted for 468 of the deaths out of the 937 people that died in 2020, representing over 50% of the fatalities recorded in the state.

The southern senatorial district accounts for 286 deaths, which is about one third of the total, due in large part to sporadic clashes, alongside banditry which triggered attacks and counter-attacks, especially between June and November 2020, he added.

Aruwan further said, out of 1,972 people kidnapped in the period under review, Kaduna central senatorial district accounts for 1,561, and out of the total, 1,461 were kidnapped within Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local government areas.

In his speech after receiving the report, El-Rufai said that state has been using itslimited tools to address the security challenges.

The governor paid tribute to the victims of insecurity and reiterated his administrations resolve to protect the people and stop all criminals.

El Rufai said the government has invested in technology to help secure the state, adding that a CCTV network is being deployed in Kaduna metropolis while options for consistent operations of its drones are being explored.

The governor added that the state had been collaborating with neighboring states to tackle the wave of insecurity.

Together with Niger State and our neighbours in the North-west, we put together resources to fund military operations against bandits in the Kamuku-Kuyambana forest range that straddles the region.

El Rufai however regretted that this collaboration which was done in 2015, was not sustained or expanded into a campaign of continuous, simultaneous operations against the bandits across our vast region.

Failure to contain and defeat them in one place has emboldened them to develop a national footprint and endanger national cohesion, he noted.

The governor also said thatthe state has been supporting federal security agencies with vehicles and other logistics since 2015, but added that the military and police still need modern technology and equipment and more boots on the ground.

The security of our communities depend on the robust projection of state power, and that can only be done with sufficient security numbers to overawe and deter criminals, he maintained.

The governor called for the decentralisation of policing, arguing that there are simply not enough police officers in Nigeria and the idea of policing such a vast, federal republic in a unitary manner is not pragmatic.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government on Wednesday approved 526 million dollars for power projects in Abia, Imo and Benue.

The Federal Executive Council at its weekly meeting also approved N190.5 million for the purchase of a microscope by the University of Ibadan.

Minister of Power, Sale Mamman and Minister of State for Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, made these known to newsmen at the end of Wednesdays meeting of the Council.

Mamman said that 506 million dollars was approved for the extension of transmission lines in Umuahia, Abia and Mbano in Imo.

He said additional local content of N34million was approved for the transmission line projects.

The cost for the extension of transmission lines in Abia and Imo States is 506,324.40 million dollars plus N34,034,000 local content cost, he said.

The minister stated that the Council also approved 8.6million dollars for the construction of three sub-stations at Zaki-Biam, Benue and Bichi and Kanyi in Kano State.

On the amount for the construction of three sub-stations in Zaki-Biam, Benue State and Bichi and Kanyi, Kano State the one in Zaki-Biam is 8.6 million dollars offshore and N2.08 billion onshore.

The second one in Bichi is 9.6 million dollars plus N1.7 billion local content cost, while the one in Kanyi, Kano State, is 9.5 million dollars plus N1.7 billion, he said.

On his part, Nwajiuba said the Council approval for the purchase of the microscope was part of Federal Governments efforts to revitalise and reposition the nations education sector.

In continuation of efforts by the Federal Government to revitalise and reposition the education sector, Council passed a resolution granting the request of the University of Ibadan to acquire a new microscope.

This is a microscope which is totally directed at enhancing whatever material, looking at nuclear composition of its molecular nature.

This is in our premier university. The Department of Anatomy at the university has been at the forefront of this coordinate research in Nigeria for many years since its inception in 1948.

The first of such equipment was given to us in 1967 by the Japanese government, but it has become obsolete.

The Federal Government has had the opportunity to review many of the requests from the university authorities, including those of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, he said.

The minister explained that before now, PhD students of the varsity had to travel abroad to conduct research involving a microscope and it has now become very expensive to do so.

The request by the University of Ibadan has been approved so that we can stop spending the kind of money we spend sending PhD and further research students abroad on the basis of lack of this particular equipment.

If University of Ibadan is empowered to do this, and acquires this equipment, it will become the fulcrum for many other research faculties around the country.

Everybody, including researchers from neighbouring West African countries will be able to access it.

Our experience at the Tertiary Education Fund showed that many of the research requests had to do with non-availability of particular equipment in the country.

The Federal Government, in its holistic attempt to address both its economic and social values as well as upgrade our educational targets, approved this to be able to address then challenge,Nwajiuba said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hussaina Yakubu

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has restated his administrations commitment to supporting vulnerable people in the state to realise their full potentials in life.

El-Rufai made the commitment on Wednesday in Kaduna when he received UNFPA Country Representative, Ulla Mueller, who was at the Government House for a joint programme to mark the International Womens Day.

He explained that his administration believes that disabilities and other circumstances should not be a hurdle to such persons in reaching their full potentials.

We believe in giving equal opportunities to all and to do that, government needs to identify with those that are not able to assist themselves.

The main purpose of government is to ensure that those who cannot help themselves are helped by to achieve their full potentials, he stressed.

El-Rufai disclosed that 63 per cent of the state budget
in the first four years of his administration was invested in education, healthcare and assisting the poorest and vulnerable persons.

We have invested in primary health care, we have introduced contributory health Insurance to give a pathway to universal health coverage and also the social protection policy, he said.

He told the UNFPA officials that the government was in the process of establishing a social protection agency, to target the poorest and ensure that they did not go uncared.

He also expressed the belief that women deserve every support and encouragement for any society to grow.

According to him, women as the foundation of humanity, should be promoted in every way possible.

He thanked the UNFPA for its unique approach of reaching out to women and other works that touched the lives of the people.

Earlier, Mueller said they chose to celebrate the day in Kaduna, because the state has 43 percent women in leadership positions.

The 43 per cent I notice is more than what is obtained in most developed countries.

My country has 29 per cent of female in cabinets despite the fact that we have female prime minister and 14 per cent women in leadership position.

She congratulated the governor for the feat, saying
when you focus on equality and when you are mindful, deliberate about the decisions you make, you steadily prosper.

The UNFPA country representative pledged to work with Kaduna state government and find ways to support its efforts to drive sustainable development.

While we are developing our 2021 programme we will be seeking advice from Kaduna state on how to best proceed, she added.

We all have an obligation to continue to commit to sustainable development, because it enshrines gender equality as one of its goals.

We will not be able to reach sustainable development without equality and the ability for women and girls to have their basic human rights, including their right to sexual productive health as a prerogative to achieve sustainable development goals.

In 2021, no woman should die for a reason we can prevent, Mueller stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UNFPA presented awards to Hajiya Saudatu Sani, Emmanuel Bonet and Maimuna Auwal-Safiyanu in recognition of their work on enhancing gender equality and equity.

Gov. El-Rufai was also presented with an award in recognition of his sustained efforts to ensure gender equality and equity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) on Wednesday stressed the need for early mentorship of budding professionals in the industry to eliminate quackery from its ranks.

The NOIB members led by its Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr Sunday Wusu made the remarks during the associations visit to Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Junior High School, Maryland, Lagos for career talk tagged Catch Them Young Programme.

Wusu said that the programme was part of the institutes weeklong activities to commemorate the 2021 Builders Day conference on March 13.

He said the event was organised in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to encourage young students to pursue career paths in building and to expose them to the rudiments of ethical codes of practice and building regulations.

He said March 13 was chosen for the builders conference in commemoration of the collapse of a five-storied residential building at 63, Massey Street, Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island in 2019, killing over 20 pupils.

Wusu explained to the students the benefits of building the right way, and the subjects required for those aspiring to become professional builders.

You are our future leaders, our future generation and we need to let you know,he said.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that early mentorship to change their orientation towards upholding good building ethics was vital to the enthronement of excellence in the profession.

Also, Mr Emmanuel Aladeloba, Head of Department, Building, Yaba College of Technology (Yaba Tech), said that the housing deficit currently stands at 17 million which needed professionals to fill the vacuum to bridge the shelter gap.

Aladeloba while delivering his lecture, told the students the subjects that they would need, in order to deepen their knowledge and to take advantage of the vast opportunities available for talented builders.

He explained the important roles of builders who coordinated their projects with materials in right quantities, as well as human resources on site to ensure durable construction with good structural integrity.

Aladeloba said that an engineer designs buildings, but the builder is a realist to actualise the real construction by properly cordinating and managing all the other resources.

It is the work of a builder to ensure a design comes to reality and we can occupy it, take example from this hall we are in right now.

It is a builder that knows the science and technology of construction, all the resources in the built environment are put together by the builder because the builder is taught how to make the other five resources work. The Labour, materials, machines, methods and all the others he said.

In his remarks, Mr Bayo Adefuye Permanent Board Member, Special Projects, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), who represented the LASUBEB Chairman, Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, urged students to follow their passion in choosing career paths that would be beneficial to them.

He encouraged the students to strive to be good ambassadors to make their parents and nation proud.

Building is a good career. We will always need builders because we will always need buildings.

Whatever profession you choose make sure it is the one your heart is set on. Choose what you like doing so that your work would look like play. Choose a career you are comfortable with in line with your passion,he said.

Earlier, Mrs Adelotun Ogunbiyi, Principal, Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Junior High School, Maryland, advised students on the need to take the career talk serious in order to make the right future choices.

Other speakers took turns to educate the children on the advantages of choosing career paths in building to correct the perceived ills in the industry.

However, the students had mixed reactions of either wanting to become builders, or advocated for quality construction while choosing other professions.

Miss Aishat Abdulrashed, a JSS3 student told NAN she had learnt new things that changed her perception, adding that, I want to be a good builder that would build right in future.

On the other hand, Mr Ndishika Praise another JSS3 student said he learnt what it meant to be a good builder, but would not want to be a builder.

I want to be an artist but I will advise builders in future to be good,he added.

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

Secretary-General, NIDOA-Atlanta. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland struck once in each half as they drew 2-2 with Sevilla in their Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday and advanced to the quarter-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win.

The Norwegian notched his 20th Champions League goal in 14 games and 10th in the competition this season with a controversial 54th-minute penalty.

This was after having tapped in a Marco Reus cutback against the run of play to give Dortmund the lead in the first half.

Sevilla, who made the quarter-finals in 2018 and enjoyed a strong first half, hit back with two goals from Youssef En-Nesyri, the first a 66th-minute penalty followed by a stoppage-time header to make it t 2-2.

The 20-year-old Haaland has now become the all-time top Norwegian scorer in the competition, with one more goal than current Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as Dortmund reached the last eight for the first time since 2017.

Haalands penalty, awarded following a lengthy VAR review for an earlier challenge after he had put the ball in the net, was initially saved before he retook it and scored. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ten-man Porto upset Juventus to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw in spite of losing 3-2 to the Italian side on Tuesday.

Sergio Oliveiras extra-time free-kick for Portos second goal proved decisive for the visitors.

Porto dominated the first half and took the lead in the 19th minute with Oliveiras penalty taking them into the break in front as they looked comfortable at the Juventus Stadium.

But with the first attack of the second half Juves Federico Chiesa, who scored their goal in the 2-1 last-16, first-leg defeat in Portugal, arrowed a strike into the top corner to give his side hope four minutes after the re-start.

The game turned further in Juves favour as Mehdi Taremi needlessly got sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the 54th minute for kicking the ball away, with Chiesa levelling the scoreline on aggregate with his head in the 63rd minute.

The hosts had chances to win the tie but the game went to extra time and the drama was far from over as Porto won a free-kick which Oliveira drilled home to spark wild scenes of celebration amongst the players and coaching staff.

Adrien Rabiots header three minutes from time for Juve ensured a grandstand finish in an enthralling encounter, but Porto held on for a famous victory.

Source: NAN News

The UNICEF on Wednesday urged countries to contribute more money to help poor countries to access Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, saying around billion was needed.

UNICEF, the worlds single largest vaccine buyer, is part of the World Health Organisation-backed COVAX programme to supply COVID-19 shots to emerging economies.

We have been asking the world for more funding for UNICEF and our distribution to countries we still need about 1 billion dollars , UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said at Dubais World Government Summit.

That funding could be used to strengthen health systems in poorer nations and support the distribution of vaccines there, she said.

The COVAX initiative aims to deliver at least 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, including 1.3 billion doses to lower-income countries.

Fore urged vaccine makers to sign licensing agreements so vaccines could be made locally, singling out Africa as one market that needed it.

She also said it was unlikely that the COVAX scheme would be able to cover the world in 2021.

There is still more to do and we could do with more help and assistance, Fore said. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News