Nigerias Senate under Ahmed Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate on Monday, urged the Federal Government to ensure necessary funding for the newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities ( NCPD).

Sen.Obinna Ogba (PDP- Ebonyi) Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Social Development said this at the screening of nominees for the position of chairman and members of the board of NCPD in Abuja.

Ogba said adequate funding of the commission would help towards its eventual take off.
He said it was important for the commission to be adequately funded to achieve the purpose for which it was set up.

We thank the executive for setting up the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and nominating persons to run it.

But putting such intervention mechanism in place without required funding, will defeat the purpose for which it was established.

On our own part here in the senate and by extension, the national assembly, having through legislation, facilitated the establishment of the commission, we shall at any given time, make required appropriation for effective and efficient functioning of the commission.

It is a welcome development that nominees for appointments into the commission are being screened four days after the International Day for PLDs on Dec.3, he said.

He advised the nominees to remember their co-protesters in the past by integrating them in the programmes of the commission.

Mr Chairman and members, please after your confirmation by the senate, remember to use the commission to take care of interests of the physically challenged, particularly those who are with you in the trenches during the protests era, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those screened and awaiting confirmation of senate at plenary included Dr Hussaini Suleiman Kangiwa, the nominee for Chairman from North West.

Others screened for membership of the board were Mr Oparaku Jaja- South-East, Philomena Isioma Konwea -South South .

Others included Mr Omopariola Oluwasola South West, Mrs Amina Audu North West , Mrs Esther Awu North Central and Mr Abba Ibrahim North East.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Group inaugurates project on sanitation in schools

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Toilet Kulture Initiative (TKI), a non governmental organization on Monday inaugurated a project titled Beauty 4 WASH project establishes the fact that one can use whatever he/she has to solve a problem that will affect humanity.

She also said it would drive everybody toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The initiative is also making plan to construct sanitation hardware for a few selected vulnerable schools, create a platform for youth to fiercely engage in the clean Nigeria campaign to end open defecation nationwide by 2025, she added.

Ozika noted that lack of access to safely managed sanitation posed a big challenge in the education, health and economy of the nation.

She said that the challenge was higher with children being exposed to germs and all sorts of infections while in school and menstruating girls, who sometimes stayed away from school for lack of good toilets to safely manage their periods.

She further mentioned the huge cost of seeking health care when sick.

She, therefore, called for collective efforts to fight for our lives, families, tenants, young girls and the country by simply doing one thing to end open defecation nationwide.

On her part, Oryina said that she chose WASH as her pet project so as to create more awareness and sensitise the general public to the need for effective waste management.

She said that she would use social media platform to engage the youth so as promote WASH programmes and MHHM to end open defecation on school campuses.

Mr Wale Elekolusi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator, WASH Media Network, called on stakeholders to light up their terms in the campaign against open defecation.

Elekolusi further advised that there should be a behavioural change among the public if the country would be free from open defecation syndrome. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Ejike oji

By Ikenna Osuoha

Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), has identified child spacing or family planning as the solution to demographic crises.

Oji made the disclosure on Monday while speaking at an ongoing Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2020 in Abuja.

He also identified the clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria as a demographic crisis caused by overpopulation.

According to him, a national or citizen killing his fellow national or citizen points to the fact that we are in demographic crises.

He, therefore, advocated for the provision of family planning services to check overpopulation and to consequently avert further demographic crises.

Also speaking, Dr Okai Aku, of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), called for more funding of family planning services to put an end to all forms of crises in the country.

Aku explained that overpopulation was also responsible for insecurity as occasioned by unemployment and hunger.

He urged governments at all levels to prioritise the funding of family planning services with the aim to enhance womens access to family planning for a greater Nigeria.

The medical practitioner explained that child spacing was necessary in building a stable home and a healthy family.

Family planning means giving birth to the number of children you can comfortably train without stress, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Inauguration of headquarters of Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command and housing scheme

By Sumaila Ogbaje
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday virtually inaugurated the headquarters of Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command and housing scheme for the next-of-kin of fallen officers and soldiers in Abuja.

He also inaugurated the cyber warfare Operations centre and cyber warfare school located at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.

The inauguration was in commemoration of the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference with the theme; Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.

Buhari commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts at restoring law and order in the country and curtailing large-scale criminality during the recent #ENDSARS protests.

The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd) said the COAS conference was aimed at reviewing the operational readiness of Nigerian army during the year.

He said that it would also help in generating new strategies for enhanced operational efficiency of army personnel in the coming year.

Magashi said the year 2020 had been a challenging one, saying that while the COVID-19 pandemic caused major destruction globally, the nations security challenges that threatened the safety and security of its citizens persisted.

According to him, Nigeria has continued to witness incidences of violence and criminality arising from Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, banditry and cattle rustling in the North West, farmers-herders conflict in the North Central as well as kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery in the South.

The armed forces of Nigeria and the Nigerian army in particular have been in the forefront of efforts to restore peace in the country.

In this regard, I commend the effort of the Nigerian army in the North East which has led to a gradual return of internally displaced persons to their communities in furtherance of the resettlement plans of the Borno State government.

I also note the successes that are being recorded in the North West especially after the launch of Exercise Sahel Sanity earlier this year.
I urge you all to use this conference to device strategy towards the total decimation of all inimical forces in the coming year, he said.

The minister pledged that the ministry would continue to work with the services to ameliorate the sufferings of the families of the deceased personnel, adding that their sacrifices were well appreciated.

He urged the service chiefs not to relent in their efforts toward the accomplishment of their assigned roles.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the conference, being the sixth in the series had over the years helped in shaping the state of affairs in Nigerian army.

Buratai said that the vision of Buhari was to have highly trained responsive and professional army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

He said the vision had been largely achieved with Nigerian army evolving strategies in dealing with the myriads of security challenges confronting the country.

He said that while the year had been quite challenging due to the outbreak of COVID-19, his strategic direction for the year 2020 had enabled the service to confront the various challenges with professionalism.

According to him, this has been largely achieved with the Nigerian army currently well poised to tackle myriad of contemporary and numerous security threats.

I am happy to note that my strategic directive from the year 2020 which is to sustain the professionalism and responsiveness of Nigerian army in the discharge of constitutional role provided a point of reference which enable us to adopt quickly with numerous impact.

In a bid to enhance our overall performance, attempts were made throughout the year to evaluate our activities and efforts toward positioning the Nigerian Army to achieve the tasks ahead in the year 2021 and beyond, he said.

Buratai said the cyber warfare command was a child of necessity in tackling the security challenges in the country, adding that the command since inception in 2017, contributed to operational successes of the army.

He added that the new facilities being inaugurated would enhance the operation of the command going forward.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that any act of hooliganism hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests would be dealt with decisively, to ensure peace and stability in the country.

The president gave the warning when he virtually declared open the Chief of Army Staffs Annual Conference 2020 in Abuja on Monday.

Buhari commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts at swiftly restoring law and order in various states during the large-scale criminality that ensued in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests.

He reiterated federal governments commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land.

The president recalled that the #ENDSARS protests were sadly hijacked by hooligans to cause wanton damage to lives and property in many cities across the country.

Buhari described 2020 as a very challenging year, citing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on almost every aspect of national life.

In spite of this, I am pleased to note that the Army remained resolute in the discharge of its Constitutional roles.

The Armys support of civil authorities in the management of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a case in point.

Also, the peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the Army, he said.

The president commended the Army for its unwavering commitment towards curtailing the activities of insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other violent criminals through ongoing exercises and operations in different parts of the country.

Notably, he said, was the launched a few months ago in the North West states to rid the Katsina-Zamfara corridor of marauding bandits which had recorded commendable progress.

I have also been briefed about the tremendous successes that have been achieved by troops during the ongoingin the North East.

I charge you all to sustain these efforts until the full restoration of peace and security in the nation is achieved, he added.

According to the president, the conference provides an avenue for the leadership of the Army to re-assess its preparedness and operational readiness in carrying out its constitutional roles.

Buhari also used the occasion to pay tribute to men and women in uniform who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence and security of the nation, commiserating with their families, comrades and friends.

As we pray for the repose of their souls, we must strengthen our collective resolve to address those issues that will make every part of our country a safe and secure place to live and carry out our normal business, he said.

He pledged that his administration would not relent in its efforts to take adequate care of families of fallen heroes who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight against insurgency and other forms of crimes across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president, at the conference, inaugurated the Housing scheme for Next of Kin of personnel of the Nigerian Army killed in action.

He said: It is in line with this that the Army, as part of its welfare initiative and in line with the Federal Governments housing programme, is undertaking the Housing Scheme for families and next of kins of troops that were killed in action in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities in the country.

I believe this initiative will act as a huge morale booster to the troops on the frontlines as well as project the Army in good light.

On our part, I assure you that this administration will continue to do all within available resources to provide for your operational and welfare needs.

Buhari said he had been briefed that some of the major capabilities procured for the Army would soon be inducted into the various theatres of operations.

He, therefore, urged the personnel to make judicious use of these capabilities, even as we await the arrival of others currently pending shipment to the country.

On the choice of the theme of the annual conference, Buhari noted that it is only through human capacity development that any institution can attain the level of professionalism needed to effectively and efficiently carry out its constitutional roles.

The president, therefore, congratulated the Army on holding the conference at the magnificent edifice housing the Armys Cyber Warfare Command with its state-of-the-art Cyberwarfare Operations Centre.

According to him, this shows that the Army is alive to the changing nature of warfare which is gradually moving into the cyber domain.

By the same token, I commend the visionary leadership that has worked assiduously to emplace this vital capability that will fill an existing gap in our nations security and defence architecture.

This and other numerous infrastructural projects that have been embarked upon in recent times by the leadership of the Army has shown good utilisation of scarce national resources, he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, had appreciated the president for always approving funds for operations of the military in the country, and assured him that all resources would be judiciously utilised.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in a remark, declared that the Nigeria Army was well poised to confront all security challenges, which include cyber threats.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted Mi-171E NAF 582 multi-purpose helicopter for improved and efficient operations in the country.

Performing the ceremony in Makurdi,the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the additional platform would significantly add value to its ongoing operations in the country.

Represented by AVM Mohammed Idris, the Chief of Policy and Planning, NAF Headquarters,Sadique said the new platform would help NAFs operations in North East, North West and North Central.

He said the newly inducted platform was a multi-purpose aircraft that could be used for wide-range operations.

He said This additional platform will significantly add value to our operational efforts, constitutional duty and assure security of our nation.

We will continue to be creative and innovative to provide the necessary capacity and support system to meet the revolving asymmetric warfare of the terrorists.

He said that NAF had retrained over 105 pilots, both within and outside the country, while upgrading another 266 pilots on policies and programmes.

Sadique added that the Air Force had enhanced its capacity by training its personnel on robust maintenance of equipment.

In his address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, AVM Olusegun Philips, said NAF would continue to be loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari.

Philips also said the personnel would continue to remain dedicated to their duties to keep the flag of NAF flying.

He assured that the newly acquired Mi-171-E- NAF 582 would be put into good use to achieve NAF operational effectiveness and efficiency.

He said the induction of the new platforms would continue to impact positively on NAF operational capability, especially in the Commands effort in the ongoing counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Illustration: Power station

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has said that huge sums lost to corruption in Africa was enough to provide 24 hours uninterrupted power supply for three years.

Andrew Wilson, CIPE Executive Director, stated this at the 2020 edition of the Africa Business Ethics Conference (ABEC) on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference theme is: Tackling Corruption to Reduce Poverty and Unemployment in Africa: A Necessity for Building Resilience to Global Risks.

Wilson said that though corruption was a worldwide problem, the impact on Nigeria had far reaching consequences on the quality of life of every citizen, adding that it had hindered the country from generating enough tax revenue.

He said that an efficient and transparent public administration would boost innovation and growth, control corruption and eliminate waste and unethical practices.

In Africa, the Africa Union estimates that billion a year is lost to corruption. This amount can ensure 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to every citizen in Africa for three years.

That said, CIPE does know that combating corruption is a collective effort that requires contribution from every pillar of society.

The growing international consensus is that for countries to be successful in its fight against corruption, it needs to have four elements.

They include, reward for fairness and honesty, social activism with shared interests rooted in integrity, strong civil society and sustained participation in political engagements.

Today, as the call for good governance, anti corruption and renewed commitment to ethics reverberates across the world, led by citizens across all demographic backgrounds, Africa especially Nigeria has not been left out.

As we know, a thriving democracy must make efforts to live on the promise of development, justice, equity, equality, fairness, he said.

Mrs Toki Mabogunje, President Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said African economies were unable to bear the increasing cost of corruption, adding that it had minimized governments capacity to lift citizens out of poverty.

According to her, effectively addressing corruption in African countries has become a development imperative.

Corruption is one of the biggest developmental challenges facing African economies. The Sub Saharan African region ranks lowest among global regions in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with an average CPI score of 32 out of 100.

Once corruption becomes entrenched, its negative effects multiply as it induces cynicism, undermines social values, limits economic growth and discourages private Investment and savings.

At national level, specialized agencies and anti-corruption bodies can be extremely effective, provided they have sufficient independence, authority, and resources to function effectively.

Government actions alone will not be effective and a broad coalition against corruption, encompassing government, private sector stakeholders, the press, business community and general public, is necessary.

Regional cooperation and development of regionally agreed legal mechanisms to address these problems would be useful, while international efforts to stop large scale corruption in business transactions are essential, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Farmers in Nigeria

By Doris Esa

The Food Growers Association of Nigeria (FOGAN) says it will train grassroots farmers in modern farming techniques and support them with modern equipment to boost productivity.

Mr Joseph Owolabi, its National President, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

Owolabi said that the farmers would be trained in the use of modern equipment like tractors, harvesters, sprayers, among others.

We intend to tutor the grassroot farmers on planting crops suitable for their environment to achieve bountiful harvest. Well do that in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science.

We shall also provide silos to store perishable or non-perishable crops in all the 774 local governments, he said.

Owolabi said that the association would equally initiate measures aimed at preserving and protecting the interest of the members.

FOGAN is set to bring unemployed youth to the farm, not just as subsistence farmers, but as business men or women out to engage in money spinning ventures.

FOGAN will provide fertilisers, insecticide and seedlings at affordable prices to members nationwide.

We shall partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide sprayers, seedling, tractors and other equipment at affordable rates, he said.

He said that the association would increase its membership from three million as at the last planting season, to 10 million before the year 2022 planting season.

This will lead to increase in the countrys GDP above what is obtained in the oil and gas industry. All hands must be on deck to make this a reality.

Owolabi said that the association would partner with the Federal, State and Local Governments to bring majority of the youth interested in farming to do it as agro business.

Agro business is more lucrative than politics, banking and civil services. We want our youth to realise this by year 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari has made agriculture a main stay of the economy. We must key into this, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC responds as Yellow fever claims 76 lives in 3 states

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) says there is need for better preparedness to wade off resurgence of COVID-19 and any other potential pandemics.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of NCDC, spoke at a Ministerial Health Sector Media Engagement on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on Monday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu said the nation must adequately prepare to face any emerging disease outbreak.

He disclosed a new health security architecture that would be coordinated by the agency to be delivered by states to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.

He suggested five health security designs that could help boost such preparedness.

They include stronger health security at sub national level and a laboratory network surveillance system.

Improved One health approach for disease prevention detection and response.

Stronger coordinations and collaboration across sectors , government levels, partners.

Stable, substantial and sustainable funding for health security and better preparedness for the pandemic which is to come, he said.

The NCDC boss said the agencys vision was that every state in the country would have a workable public health laboratory to serve Nigerians.

According to him, the mission of the agency is to protect the health of Nigerians through evidence based prevention, integrated disease surveillance and response activities, using a one health approach, guided by research and led by a skilled workforce.

We are working toward a healthier and safer Nigeria through the prevention and control of diseases of public health importance.

A conductive working environment with effective systems, enabling a motivated workforce.

Accurate estimate of the burden of defined diseases and conditions in Nigeria in order to inform public health response and meet international obligations as member of the WHO.

A public health laboratory service and network, effective service and network effectively supporting the detection, prevention and responses to infectious diseases of public health importance in Nigeria and contributing to regional public health capacity.

The NCDCs mission is also to reduce adverse impact of disease outbreaks, public health emergencies and disaster, and create an efficiently managed and evidence based prevention system, he explained. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its ad hoc staff who went missing during the Dec. 5, Bakura State Constituency by-election in Zamfara, have been found.

INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang, confirming their return while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Dazang said that the ad hoc staff were found hale and hearty.

I am exceedingly glad to report that INEC Administrative Secretary in Zamfara, Mr Garba Lawal just informed me that our ad hoc staff who went missing have been found, hale and hearty.

He said that they run for their dear lives during a commotion and in the process could not retrace their ways back. May Almighty God be praised for this wonderful development, he said.

Dazang commended the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the administrative secretary and security agencies for their efforts in finding the missing ad hoc staff.

INEC had earlier declared the two ad hoc staff missing.

The commission also declared the Dec. 5, by-election as inconclusive, while fixing Wednesday, Dec. 9 for the conclusion of the election. (NAN)

Source: NAN News