By Philip Yatai

The Centre for Media Advocacy for Mother and Child (CAMAC) has donated menstrual emergency kits to Brainstrust College, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, as part of the activities to commemorate the 2020 World Toilet Day.

The Executive Director of CAMAC, Mr Alex Uangbaoje, explained in Kaduna on Friday while handing over the kits to the school Principal, Mr Godwin Ogar, that the support was equally part of the NGOs period-friendly facility campaign.

Uangbaoje, who was represented by Ms Christie Alex, Programme Officer, identified some of the kits to include menstrual emergency box, sanitary pads, painkiller drugs, waste bin, detergents and disinfectants.

He said that women and young girls could only be comfortable in public places during their monthly menstrual period if they had access to sanitary materials and other suitable facilities.

According to him, public and private schools should not only build toilets, but make them friendly and comfortable for young girls.

It is imperative to support young girls to maintain personal hygiene before, during and after their menstrual period.

We are here today to sensitise girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene and how to maintain a good and hygienic environment, especially toilet facilities for healthy use.

Young girls need to be aware of the dangers of using unhygienic items during their menstrual period where sanitary pads are not available.

So as CAMAC, we are here to help you understand how important it is to maintain personal and menstrual hygiene and clean environment, he said.

The executive director encouraged schoolgirls to become advocates for cleanliness and hygiene in their school.

Responding, Ogar thanked CAMAC for the support, noting that schoolgirls needed critical support on menstrual hygiene.

We are hopeful that from now onward they will be doing the right things, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the Health Prefect, Asmau Abdulahi, also thanked the NGO for the support, describing it as critical for young girls.

She urged the school management to improve the condition of the schools toilet facilities and make them hygienic and friendly for girls. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

By Naomi Sharang

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan says the National Assembly will pass the 2021 budget of N13. 08 trillion by the second week of December.

Lawan made this known while declaring open a retreat for members of National Assembly Management and National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had in October, adjourned plenary for budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

We are working to pass the 2021 budget by the second week of December and we are working very assiduously, we will ensure there is every possible scrutiny of the budget presented by the executive arm of government.

So far, we achieved that in 2020 budget. We believe that we did the right thing, we promised Nigerians we will do that and it is going to be part of our legacy in the 9th National Assembly, Lawan said.

The President of the Senate said that other critical areas that will be considered when the Upper Chamber resume on Nov. 24 ,was the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The PIB which is one of the most essential legislations to have in this country, we intend to pass it before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

And then again, we will take our time because this is a very delicate and sensitive piece of legislation.

We will ensure what comes out of the National Assembly in the PIB is a product of legislation that will ensure that Nigeria earns its revenues from the oil and gas, as it should.

And of course, also, we will support our business people, the oil companies that are investing, and in fact retain and encourage new ones to invest in Nigeria, he said.

Lawan aded:So it has to be a win situation, win for all of us. We will not be selfish as a country, trying to take everything; no, oil is like water now. Almost every country now has oil.

So if you dont provide a competitive environment, the oil companies will have no difficulty relocating to other countries.

So we will ensure that we have a competitive environment for business and for investments.

He said that the two committees on Constitution amendment at the Senate and House of Representatives were already working behind the scene to ensure that the amendment was done in 2021.

As soon as we pass the budget, the Constitution amendment activities will start in earnest.

We believe that we should pass our amendments within 2021, he said.

Lawan added that the amendment of the Electoral Act will also be done within 2021 in good time to prevent unnecessary distractions.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari receiving final report from Salami Probe Panel

Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the final report of the Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel on alleged infractions by the suspended Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report containing four boxes of exhibits were presented to the president at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The Salami Panel, which was inaugurated by the president in July, was given 45 days to carry out its assignment but the timeframe was later extended after the panel requested for more time.

Magu was allegedly accused of corruption, mismanagement, lack of transparency in managing recovered assets by the commission as well as abuse of office by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 test kits

To help and support Mongolia in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to provide urgent assistance to the country with testing facilities and kits for COVID-19.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

Mongolia has raised its virus alert to the highest level after a continuous increase in domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases.

The country has also imposed prevention and control measures to contain the spread of the virus.

China is following the situation closely and maintaining close communication with Mongolia, Zhao said, adding that China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and both countries have joined hands in fighting the epidemic and achieved positive results.

He said, in the face of the worsening situation, the Mongolian government and people have taken relevant measures to fight against the pandemic.

The Chinese government has decided to provide urgent assistance to Mongolia with a batch of test facilities and kits for COVID-19 to help and support the country.

China will continue to provide due support in light of Mongolias needs. We hope and believe that under the leadership of the Mongolian government, Mongolia will overcome the epidemic at an early date, Zhao said. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Divorce Decree

Adedeji Egbebi

A Customary Court in Ikole-Ekiti on Friday dissolved an 18-year-old marriage between Mr Olusola Abiodun and his wife, Kehinde.

The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, put an end to the marriage on the grounds that Abiodun, along with his family, was not being accorded due respect by the respondent, Kehinde.

Abiodun also accused the wife of adultery, among other allegations.

The court president in her judgment said every effort made by the court to save the marriage failed.

She subsequently dissolved the union and ordered the couple to go their separate ways.

Ojo awarded the custody of their three children, 16 years, 14 years and seven years to the petitioner.

The court president ordered Abiodun, 51, to be responsible for the upkeep of the children, including footing their education bills.
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She granted the children unlimited access to their mother, adding that they could sleep over in her house only during weekends and school holiday.

Earlier, the petitioner told the court that he was instituting the divorce suit because the respondent had not been submissive to him and would not heed his advice not to do menial jobs.

He told the court that the wife constantly embarrassed him and was fond of making friends with those he called uncultured people.

The petitioner prayed to the court to order the wife to change her ways, promising to withdraw the case if she complied.

The respondent, Kehinde, 50, in her defence told the court that she took to menial jobs because the husband was not adequately providing for the family.

Kehinde said that she was ready to change if the petitioner would also mend his ways.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari after receiving the Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel report

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to fight corruption to a standstill, saying no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State.

The president stated this when he received the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Investigation of Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Abuja on Friday.

The Commission was headed by Justice Ayo Salami, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal.

According to Buhari, the desire of his administration is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption, but one where the menace is vigorously battled.

He said: The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society.

Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption.

Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time.

I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.

The President called on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels In order to protect Nigerias political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption

While pledging that the fight against corruption is one that must be fought without fear or favour, Buhari thanked members of the Commission for their dedication and commitment to the fight against corruption.

The president noted that a lot of efforts had gone into building and development of anti-corruption institutions in the country.

As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership, he added.

According to him, the Federal Government has so far kept faith with its promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges.

However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touches on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes.

It is an abomination that strikes at the root, and undermines the Governments anti-corruption programme.

It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

We recognize that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth.

Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State! he said.

In his remarks, Salami said that the suspended Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and 113 witnesses appeared and testified before the Commission.

He also revealed that 46 petitions and memoranda were presented by individuals and organisations with complaints against the suspended Acting Chairman, EFCC or both.

Salami disclosed that the Commission also embarked on a nationwide physical verification of recovered forfeited assets, comprising real estates, automobiles, vessels and non-cash assets.

He commended the president for the initiative to dispose all forfeited assets because of the poor condition of the assets we saw during our physical verification nationwide.

While noting that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police, Salami also recommended that in appointing a new chairman consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and core staff of the EFCC as provided in the EFCC establishment Act of 2004.

He expressed gratitude to the president for giving the Commission members a wonderful opportunity to serve the nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Heavily-polluted Milan metropolis, Italys business and fashion capital, has decided to ban smoking at bus stops and other public places, with effect from Jan. 1, 2021.

The measure is part of the clean air bill that aims to curb Milans chronically high emission levels of carcinogenic PM10 fine dust particles.

Milan municipality in a statement on Friday said from Jan. 1, 2021 people were not allowed to smoke unless they could stand at least 10 metres apart from other people.

This will mean no more smoking in open air sports stadiums, cemeteries and parks, as well as at bus stops, the city said.

Outdoor smoking, even in isolated areas, is to be prohibited completely from Jan. 1, 2025.

Italy was last week reprimanded by the European Court of Justice for systematically and persistently breaching EU rules against PM10 pollution in large parts of the country, including Milan. (dpa/NAN)

The city said it would progressively tighten traffic restrictions on older vehicles, force petrol stations to install charging points for electric cars, and ban diesel home heating.

Other clean air measures included curbs on wood-fired ovens in pizzerias, a ban on barbecues and fireworks, and a requirement for shops to keep their front doors closed.

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

The Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) will hold its 10th International Annual LPG Conference on Dec. 4.

The association made the announcement in a statement issued by its President, Mr Nuhu Yakubu on Friday in Lagos.

Yakubu said the conference, which would be hosted virtually, has the theme: LPG: Pivoting Economic Recovery for Households and Industries in Nigeria and Africa.

According to him, the discourse will focus on interrogating industry issues, proffering actionable and measurable solutions towards achieving an accelerated Post-COVID-19 economic recovery, with gas as a pivotal enabler.

Yakubu noted that the conferences objective was crucial to the overarching recovery-led goal of the economy following the pandemic and recent occurrences around the world.

Owing to the economic upheavals experienced globally, it is the response of every forward-thinking organisation to identify actions and amplify sector-driven solutions towards rebuilding the economy.

This years theme, topics of discussion, speakers and panelists were painstakingly selected to provide diverse, yet specific solutions targeted at adding the sectors quota towards the economic build, he said.

Yakubu said beyond the affordability and safety benefits of LPG for households and industries, it was not far-fetched to state that the growing adoption of LPG would advertently result in economic growth through job and wealth creation.

He said speakers expected at the conference included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and other gas experts across the globe. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Okowa and Jonathan

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan, as he clocks 63-years on Friday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, commended the former president for his unique statesmanship and graceful disposition to issues.

He said that Jonathans bourgeoning role in entrenching democracy across Africa through his observer-mission activities was impactful and laudable.

He recalled the former presidents role in the peace process in Mali, describing it as truly statesmanlike.

According to the governor, Jonathans exemplary contributions aided the institutionalisation of democracy and improvement of elections in Nigeria and Africa through his personal sacrifice and leadership by example.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our leader and statesman, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, as he celebrates his 63rd birth anniversary.

Your Excellency, it gives me pleasure to celebrate you for your continuous role in deepening democracy in our dear country and Africa.

Your administration will long be remembered as the government that practiced the rule of law and freedom of expression as there were no records of human rights abuses throughout your tenure.

As our dear former President clocks 63 years today, it is my prayer and that of millions of Nigerians, that God will continue to strengthen him in his avowed commitment to ensuring greater peace, good governance and enduring democracy in Africa, he said.(NAN).

Source: NAN News

Yul Edochie signing a contract as brand ambassador for paint company

By Emmanuel Acha

Veteran Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has bagged a one year endorsement as the Brand Ambassador of rising Nigerian paint manufacturing company, Roxettes Nig. Ltd.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the actor and the company was signed on Thursday at the corporate office of the organisation in Enugu.

Edochie who spoke to newsmen after signing the MoU, said that it was an honour to represent such a reputable brand.

The actor said that it was an easy decision to team up with the company as it had brought enormous innovation and technology advancement in the coating industry in Africa.

I accepted this assignment because I see in Paint Roxettes, a carefully packaged product eager to make the difference.

I compare the endorsement today to a movie perfectly scripted by a wise man from the East and I must say that I am not in any way surprised about the way the product is dominating the market, he said.

Edochie said that as the face of the company, he would not engage in any activity that would bring disrepute to the company.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Paint Roxettes, Mr Kaycee Orji, said that Yul would add value to their products by raising awareness on their activities.

Our choice for Yul as our brand ambassador is in line with our vision of providing our teeming customers with high-end painting and decorating services and unparalleled customer service.

We want to remain the only source for the best products in terms of quality and colour options, affordability and quality control in the premium paint industry in Africa, he said.

Orji described Yul as an inspiration to young Nigerians, adding that the relationship would add much value to the company.

Our goal remains to make Paint Roxettes the most innovative and respected brand in the building and paint industry.

Our unique feature is that our product is a 5 hightech-in-1 eco-friendly quality paint, Orji said.

Anambra-born Yul is the son of veteran actor, Pete Edochie.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deal signing was witnessed by several celebrities including hip-hop star, J. Martins. (NAN)

Source: NAN News