By Edeki Igafe

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has advocated for impactful reforms that will make youths in the country more resourceful and competitive globally.

Okowa stated this on Sunday at theChrist Flock World Convention 2021 of Flock of Christ Mission, Enerhen in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who inaugurated the churchs Youth Dream Centre, called on youths to make use of the centre to better their lives and contribute meaningfully to societal growth.

According to him, the youth represent the future of the country, calling for sustainable efforts to mould them into becoming leaders of tomorrow.

He urged Christians to preach the word of peace to transform individuals to the way of God.

The governor commended church leaders for helping him in charting the path of greatness for the people of the state.

I thank God for the vision of our Presiding Bishop and for the idea of building a centre for our youths.

More than ever, it is time for us to truly communicate with our youths.

Not only the youths of this church but those of the entire country and beyond, because the temptations of these end times are numerous.

Communication will help us to grow a better future, as there is always a tendency for youths to be misled into unprofitable ventures.

If we allow them to continue in that stead, we will be destroying the future of our country.

When individuals are transformed, families are transformed and when families are transformed, communities are equally transformed.

When communities are transformed, the state is transformed and when the states are transformed, the country is transformed, he said.

Okowa called on ministers of God to always have the courage to speak the truth to government and those in authority, when the need arose.

In everything we do, we must realise that we should give account in heaven.

I pray that our church leaders will continue to communicate that to us as leaders in authority, to remember that there is God to be accounted to.

It is my hope and prayer that God will continue to impact on all of us so that in the last days, we have good stories to tell, he said.

Okowa thanked the people of Warri and Uvwie for their patience with government, adding that solutions were in sight on the drainage and road challenges in the area.

He said that the storm drainage projects in Asaba had been a success story, assuring that the people of the two areas would soon heave a sigh of relief from the challenges of flooding.

It is my prayer that we will be able to complete the drainage projects so that we can begin to work on the roads, to ensure sustainability, he said.

Earlier, the Bishop of the church, Simeon Okah, spoke on the message entitled: The God that made these days to be your days of blessing.

Okah said it was Gods intention from beginning that man should live a life of blessings.

He said that Christians were in a time of Gods visitation and blessings, adding that God would make everything beautiful at the right time.

The cleric, who said that Nigeria was Gods project, urged Christians to put their trust in Him, as their pains and sufferings were temporal.

In all my years of ministering, I have never seen anywhere in the Bible where it was written that those who obey God will suffer.

Jesus Christ suffered for us after He had left heaven to die for our sins to give us life in abundance, he stated.

The bishop prayed for Okowa that God would give him the grace to finish his tenure with great achievements in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) South-East, Mr Ike Okere, has urged the youth to first acquire a skill or professional competence before going into politics.

Okere gave the advice in Enugu on Sunday at the Enugu Business and Politics Summit with the theme: Mainstreaming Young Credible Individuals in Business and Politics as Panacea for Innovation and Progress.

The conference was organised for youths in honour of the 37birthday of Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, Executive Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Advocacy (LEAD) Network.

The FRCN boss said that any youth aspiring for political post must work very hard and get economic independence first before setting out.

According to him, you must get prepared financially and ensure you can feed your family first from your economic independence and when you are done with politics you go back to your previous profession or skill.

Politics is never a profession; it remains a service that last for a set time.

But the skills or professional competence you acquire through education is meant to last for as much as your life time and you continue to feed from it, he said.

Another speaker, Mr Ekene Uzodimma, a renowned young farmer, urged youths to take advantage of farming and its huge profit potentials.

Today, agric produce sells more and we have better pricing and better knowledge on its preservation.

So, I do not see much holding youths back from going into agricultural full time, Uzodimma said.

Speaking, Okenwa said that the summit was meant to create that consciousness among young people that they are not too-young to take up responsibility and they should move beyond the musical and entertainment space.

He said that there was a need for young people to go into business and politics, where young people are largely excluded.

Okenwa, who is a youth mentor and motivator, said: We want them to know that they too can become successful business man or woman as well as a successful politician too.

However, there is a need for them to build credibility and discipline before the public will bank on them to give them sensitive and serious responsibilities such as business and political posts.

No fewer than 200 youths from all walks of life within and outside Enugu metropolis attended the summit, where other youths motivational speakers advised youths on proper use of time and opportunities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Okolie

Mrs Martha Ibezim, Wife of the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, has urged government to strengthen laws abolishing harmful cultural practices against women.

Mrs Ibezim, who is the Presiden,t Mothers Union, Womens Guild and Girls Guild, Province of the Niger, made the call in a statement in Awka on Sunday to mark this years Mothering Sunday.

She said some cultural practices such as female genital mutilation were not only harmful but dehumanising to the women folks in the society.

Mrs Ibezim urged women to rise up against wrong cultural practices, saying that women should not be subjected to such prevalent harmful cultural practices.

She noted that it was always a privilege to be a mother and described Mothering Sunday as a day set aside to honour mothers.

The Archbishops wife described a mother as selfless, loving and one, who sacrifices many of her wants and needs for the wants and needs of her children and others.

Mrs Ibezim urged mothers to live a life of honour and prestige.

She urged women to work hard to make sure that their children and family were equipped with knowledge, skills and abilities to justify their purpose on earth.

Trust and look unto God irrespective of your challenges. Mothers are role models that the society and the younger generation look up to, she said.

The theme of this years 2021 Mothering Sunday was The Name of God is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe, which was taken from Proverbs 18:10. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Cole

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it arrested a total of 10,455 traffic offenders in Lagos between January and February this year.

Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

In January 2021, the number of offenders stood at 4,686 with 5,258 number of offences.

In February 2021, the number of offenders was 4,399 while the number of offences was 5,197, the FRSC official said.

He noted that the FRSC was carrying out its operation in Lagos with care to avoid unnecessary tension in view of the sensitive nature of the state.

We have to carry out our mandate of removing rickety vehicles and reduce accident on the high way.

He urged motorists to obtain their drivers licences, saying that the corps would continue to arrest drivers without valid licences.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nwodofamilyon the passing away of their patriarch, Dr Joe Nwodo.

The president made his feelings known in a condolence message released on Sunday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

The president joined the government and people of Enugu State, the royal family and friends in mourning the loss of a truly remarkable Nigerian and one of the strongest voiceson unity in diversity.

He said: Dr Nwodo played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the country in the nineties and in the murky waters of politics, he clearly understood what it means to bring people together and inspire them to give their best.

President Buhari prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for family members, including former Gov. Okwesilieze Nwodo of Enugu State.

He also condoled with the immediate past President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodoandtheir sister,Valerie Janet Azinge,and all who admired his disposition to cooperation, reconciliation and justice, as integral parts of nation building. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Odafe

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on the Federal and Lagos State Government to compensate victims of the March 2020 Abule Ado pipeline explosion in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adams made the call on Sunday in Lagos at a memorial prayer in honour of those wholost their lives during the pipeline explosion on March 15, 2020.

NAN reports that the event, organised by the Soba Landlords and Residents Association (SLARA), was held at the site of former Bethlehem Girls College where five people, including the Schools Principal, Rev. Sis. Henriatta Alokha, died.

Adams, who is also the Chairman of the Association, said the event was to ensure that memories of the incident; the lives lost, the losses incurred and the damage to the community, was not forgotten.

He added that it was also to remind the government of the promises made to the victims and urged them not to relent in fulfilling them.

According to him, it was unfortunate that the association had to resort to publicly reminding the government of their promises.

He noted that 30 people including the Associations Vice Chairman, his wife and two children, died instantly from the explosion, and over 300 houses were destroyed during the explosion.

The governor was here, even the speaker of the house was here, some South-West governors were here and they made promises to those affected by the disaster that certain amount will be paid as compensation.

We are using this opportunity to appeal to the LASG, as a state with honour and the economic nerver centre of our nation that they fulfill all promises made to the victims, he said.

The federal government should also do something tangible for the victims, he said.

Adams disclosed that the Association had taken legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the disaster.

He appealed to LASG to upgrade the status of the traditional ruler of the community in recognition of his efforts at developing the area.

Also, Vice Chairman of SLARA, Mr Philips Akinduro, urged LASG to help improve the lives of the members of the community by fulfilling its promises to the victims.

He said the state had set up a N2 billion trust fund for the victims with an initial contribution of N250 million and another N200 from The Governors Forum.

Many of our landlords borrowed money to do renovations that you see today.

Many of our members were hospitalised, only few have paid the hospital bills, he said.

Akinduro urged LASG to release monies that had been contributed so far to help cushion the suffering of the victims.

The traditional ruler, Mr Jimoh Agbebeji, said the community was yet to recover from the incident and would appreciate every help rendered to the victims.

He commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government for responding to the communitys distress call when the incident occurred. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Onyegbula

The Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, on Sunday charged Nigerians to desist from all forms of evil to enjoy Gods enormous blessings.

Kaigama, who gave the charge during his homily, at St Fabians parish Efab- Jabi, in Abuja, stressed that; Unless we raise our eyes in faith to our Lord God, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, we risk being captured by very dark forces.

We must admit that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the ideals of genuine patriotism to build a nation of our dreams.

He, however, noted that Nigerians in the journey of life had been badly bitten.

We have been wounded by our human passions and inclinations, battered by our concupiscence and propensity to become inhuman to one another on account of religion, ethnicity and politics.

We must ask the question, why are things not working well despite the enormous blessings of God on Nigeria?

Until we desist from greed, injustice, discrimination, myopic view of religion, parochial ethnic interests, instead of the common good, political insensitivity, and the tendency to surreptitiously corner our common patrimony for the benefit of a few, we will continue dancing dangerously on the precipice.

When we fail to be obedient to God and His commandments, we experience pain, sadness and lack of spiritual progress.

The Psalmist tells us: Happy are those who follow Gods law and search for Him with all their hearts (Ps. 119:2), he said.

According to Kaigama, in spite of our sins, St. Paul reminds us that God still loves us and remains generous with His mercy: when we were dead through our sins, He brought us to life with Christ. (Eph 2:4-5).

Sin makes us slaves and wounds us grievously. But in the cross of Jesus we have the antidote which removes the poison of sin from our hearts, he added.

The Archbishop noted that the central point of the Gospel today was that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to die for mankind.

He further explained that the Gospel began with the story of the ancient serpent that was erected by Moses in the desert, after Israels sin of rebellion against God.

That was not the first time humanity would be bitten by the old serpent; the first was in the Garden of Eden; a bite that changed humanitys attitude of reverence and love of God into disobedience and self-centredness.

God, however, gave us a remedy through the cross of Jesus Christ, and all who raise their heads with faith and look at Him are destined to receive healing and salvation.

That is why St. John tells us; For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16),

In the midst of the snake bites of hunger, poverty, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, etc., leaving us almost helpless, we must like the Psalmist say, I look up to the heavens, where shall my help come from?

My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1-2), Kaigama added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Diana Omueza

Mr Kenneth Udeze, the incumbent National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) party, has been re-elected alongside Mr James Vernimbe as the National Secretary, to run the affairs of the party for another term.

Mr James Vernimbe, the re-elected National Secretary of the party made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Vernimbe said that Udeze emerged winner during the partys convention on Sunday with a total of 160 votes against his only opponent, Mr Uzewuru Nwachukwu, who had five votes.

According to him, a total number of 180 member-delegates were present at the partys convention in its national office in Abuja, however, only 165 delegates were accredited.

The tenure of the present National Executive Committee of Action Alliance expired on March 13, 2021 and in pursuant to articles 13 and 34 of our constitution 2005, as amended, we held a convention.

The convention was to elect new members of the NEC and the mode for the election of the partys national chairman was done by the Option A4, while those for the other positions in the National Executive Committee (NEC) were done by affirmation.

Also certain internal issues were looked into and the following decisions and resolutions were unanimously reached.

The expulsion of Mr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in Osun state, Mr Olu Omotoso in Oyo and Mr Adeyemi S.O in Oyo from the party for gross misconduct, he said.

Vernimbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via a telephone interview that the list of the National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) of the Party was also ratified.

Those elected included Mr Ibrahim Umar as Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu M, Alhaji Ali Abacha and Dr Samuel Asha as National Vice Chairmen of North West, North East and North Central respectively.

Others were Mr Akitan Micheal, Mr Obinna Nwofoke and Mr Gabriel Baju as National Vice Chairmen of South West, South East and South South, respectively.

Also, Mr Rapheal Onakorere, Mr Ekeng Effion-Effion, Mr Sanusi Ibrahim, Mr Abdulahi Mohammed and Mr Ogumodede Adeloye were elected as Deputy National Secretary, National Treasurer, Deputy National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary and Deputy National Financial Secretary.

Mr Tanko Sulieman, Mr Emmanuel Kyugun, Mr Done Duke, Rev. Dennis Ubani J, Alhaji Idris Jakusko and Mr Malachy Nwaekpe became National Auditor, Deputy National Auditor, National Organising Secretary, Deputy National Organising Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, Deputy PRO and National Legal Adviser.

Mr Ameh Johnson, Mrs Amie Mbadiwe, Hajia Fatima Ndakun, Mr Bonaventure Akabude and Aliyu Idris emerged Deputy National Legal Adviser, National Women Leader, Deputy Women Leader, National Youth Leader and Deputy Youth leader.

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Source: NAN News

By Aisha Cole
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi says President Muhammadu Buharis major aim for investing in rail construction all over the country is to create employment for Nigerian youths.

Amaechi, who stated this on Sunday in a statement by his Media aide, Mrs Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, said that all the ongoing projects would contribute to the GDP of the country because they make economic sense.

According to him, the Eastern rail line when it commences will generate between 20,000 and 50,000 jobs aside businesses that will open up along the rail corridor.

Let us look at the economic benefits, in the course of doing the viability of this project, that is when I discovered that there are so much natural resources on that track, iron ore all over the North East, there is Coal between Benue and Enugu.

What this does is that it provides logistics for the movement of such natural resources or value addition. You have access to the sea through a cheap means of Transportation, in the cause of the construction of the rail line from Abuja to Maiduguri is about 1000 km.

The minimum I expect they can employ is between 20,000 and 50,000 workers, if we must achieve it and at the conclusion of construction, imagine how many number of workers will be employed at the industrial park at the seaport.

The essence of the Presidents investment in the project is to create employment, he hopes that we are able to grow the economy of Nigeria through Transportation, create employment in the cause of these infrastructure.

And at the end of the construction, we expect those who do businesses in Nigeria to be able to acquire land and site industries along the rail corridor, Amaechi said.

He said that the most significant rail projects were the Lagos-Kano because it moves 30 million tonnes of cargo per year and the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri route is expected to move about 11million tonnes of cargo when completed.

Speaking on complaints on the fare for Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, Amaechi stated that rail services was not meant for passengers alone, that cargoes were most important.

He said that the ministry was working on getting funding for Lagos-Calabar, which will commence once there is fund.

Amaechi, however, said that the target of the Ministry of Transportation was to complete the construction of all infrastructure that are of economic benefit to the country at the short and long term.

Source: NAN News

The public demonstration of receiving the vaccine was meant not only to create awareness but also remove doubts and fears in the minds of people who still do not believe in the existence of the virus.

a global COVID-19 Vaccine Access Programme.

defeat sceptics.

he vaccine has been found to be safe and effective in people with various conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease.

This includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver or kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

As more data becomes available on duration of immunity after infection, this time period may be adjusted.

Testing for prior infection is not recommended for the purpose of vaccine decision-making, the agency added.

One area of interest addressed by the WHO is the plight of international travellers.

WHOs interim guidance on international travel during the pandemic is clear on this.

On dosage, a protective effect starts to develop 12 days after the first dose, but full protection requires two doses which WHO recommends be administered with a 21 to 28-day interval.

(NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News