Special welfare package will make teaching profession attractive Don

By Polycarp Auta

Prof. Mathew Sule, the Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), says the special welfare package approved for teachers in Nigeria will make teaching profession in the country attractive.

Sule said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday.

He noted that the move would also encourage young people to have passion and venture into the teaching profession.

He said that the teaching profession had over time been less priced, less attractive and not valued by many, owing to poor remuneration for teachers in the country.

Sule said that the new welfare package would change the narrative.

He explained that the move would also enhance the quality of teaching and learning, as teachers would put in their best in carrying out their duties.

Teachers in this country have been less priced, devalued and the profession as whole is less attractive because of poor remuneration.

People, particularly the younger ones, come into the profession by accident because they feel is not encouraging.

I have been in the university system, where young people only study education courses by chance. They come to the Faculty of Education because other departments couldnt offer them admission.

With this new package in the offing, it is likely to make the profession attractive and also encourage young people to go into it with passion.

It will also improve the quality of teaching and learning in our schools, he said.

Sule, however, urged teachers in the country to reciprocate the gesture and advised them to work hard and ensure quality was achieved in the education system.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari recently announced a special salary scale for teachers in the country and also increased their years of service from 35 to 40 years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Immunisation

By Ikenna Osuoha

Dr Okai Aku of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) says intensive immunisation of both mother and child is key to the prevention and reduction of Under-5 deaths in the country.

Aku told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that healthcare for mother was foundational in protecting the unborn baby.

He explained that antenatal care was paramount in ensuring that the unborn overcame Under-5 mortality and neonatal fatalities.

We must always ensure that a pregnant mother is routinely immunised to serve as a guard to the unborn.

Because the mother and child are inseparable, they are both together and to a large extent the life of the baby depends on the mother, he said.

The medical practitioner, who urged parents to immunise their children, said most immunisations for infants were free.

There is every reason for all of us to act fast in saving our children by immunising them regularly as well as making referrals to pregnant mothers.

Aku emphasised the provision of adequate dieting and nutrition to pregnant mothers as a means of protecting the unborn baby from morbidities.

He said that nutritional factors were also responsible in most cases for the wellbeing of both mother and child.

He however, called for more advocacy targeted at the rural areas to break the barriers of cultural beliefs against antenatal care and immunisations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Empowerment of girl-child critical to socioeconomic change NGO

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Executive Director, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), an NGO, Mrs Adenike Essiet says empowering the girl-child is critical to achieving socioeconomic change in communities and the world at large.

Essiet said this during the graduation of Girls Leaders under the Girls Voice Initiative (GVI) programme on Monday in Lagos.

The GVI programme is a leadership and advocacy programme that builds the capacity of adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19 to lead advocacy efforts on issues that affect them.

The programme was in collaboration with Action Health Incorporated and Rise UP, to enhance the capacity of the girls to become leaders and change agents in their respective communities.

Essiet said that the programme had provided opportunities for the 60 graduates to discover their potential, and how they could use advocacy to drive positive change in their communities.

According to her, to confer meaningful advantage on teens, teaching them to be effective leaders is an area of great opportunity.

She said that the girls during their training embarked on various advocacy projects on issues of sexual harassment, menstrual hygiene, improving wellbeing of out-of-school children, domestication of child protection policy in schools, and elimination of child marriage, among others.

Essiet noted that the girls through the projects got the commitment of community and religious leaders, legislators, executives, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other stakeholders to collaborate and proffer solutions to the issues.

According to her, positive outcomes from the projects have been achieved and will be built upon to ensure sustainable progress in identified areas.

Also speaking, Mrs Theresa Effa, the Country Director, Rise Up, said that the programme provided a platform to build the skills of the girls in advocacy, identifying issues in their communities, amplifying their voices, public speaking, and engagement with policy makers.

She said that the programme activates girls to transform their lives, families and communities for a more just and equitable world.

Effa noted that this was done through investment in local solutions, strengthening leadership, and building movements.

She expressed delight at the success recorded by the project, saying it had emboldened the girls leaders and led to positive transformation of communities.

Commenting, Miss Victoria Benedict, one of the graduates, said that the programme had motivated her to speak up for girls rights issues.

I have been working to end child marriage in Makoko Community of Lagos. We have gotten the community leaders to commit to ending harmful practices and reporting offenders to necessary authorities.

The GVI programme made me to realise that our voices are powerful and when used properly, we can change our community and the world, Benedict said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rotimi Amaechi

By Lucy Ogalue
The National Freight Hauliers Association (NFHA) has commended achievements recorded so far by Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

The National President of the association,Jackson Bent, in a statement on Sunday said in the history of the Ministry, Amaechi had proven to be outstanding.

He said Amaechi had achieved alot and had brought all major stakeholders in the industry together, which had never happened before.

This administration of the minister, is the best we have ever seen in Transportation sector.

I have many reasons for this, since he came there has being a complete revival in the industry, especially in this present situation about fall of economy in the entire world, not just in Nigeria.

In Nigeria what we have been depending on solely was petroleum, the rest is history, we knew what the value change of dollars used to be and what it is now.

Therefore the country has nowhere to turn around to rather than the transport industry, mining and other areas to be able to sustain our economy and the development of the nation.

Why I said the coming of this minister is the greatest thing that happened in this industry is that when he came, the first thing he did was to call a general Stakeholder forum to readjust the transportation industry, Bent said.

On the Kano-Maradi rail line, Bent said it was a real plus to the country as the establishment of the train to Niger Republic would boost Nigerias economy especially in the area of trade.

According to him, most of the products in Niger stores are imported from France, adding that for the rail line to exist, Niger Republic will have gotten approval from France.

He said the implication was that most of the products which would be imported from Nigeria to Niger would possibly get to France.

He said: Most of all the food in Niger are all imported items from France and other places.

So if Nigerian rail can open, all the trading aspect of it will boost the economy so much that you will be surprised even the people in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, and others will export their produce to Niger, they have irrigation farms with a whole lot of produce in those areas.

What I am saying is that, for the fact that they even agreed to execute the project, its a plus for Nigeria.

A plus in the sense that instead of them depending on oversea materials and produce especially food, that can now be gotten from Nigeria.

Trading is going to be two ways, even if the bulk is from Nigeria, its for our own interest, we are opening market for our local products.

Let me tell you, Niger Republic has oil now, but the good news for Nigeria is that they dont have a port to transport it to Europe, it means they have to pass through Nigeria.

Now that the country is looking for the alternative to develop her economy that is why I am saying transportation, mines, and others will now come to the forefront, we are blessed in this country, he added.

While highlighting some achievements of the association, he said NFHA had been in existence for 19 years but was facing challenges because things were not properly put in place from the beginning.

Bent however noted that the present administration was working with relevant stakeholders to transform the image of the association.

He said the association was presently operating in about 28 states with over 1.8 million members.

Source: NAN News

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

By Shedrack Frank

Former President Good luck Jonathan and Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa have called for the immediate adoption of electronic voting system to curb the ugly trend of politicians using thuggery and cultism to win elections in the country.

The former President said over 50 per cent of the problems faced by the country, including insurgency, cultism and corruption, will be addressed with the adoption and effective use of e-voting.

Jonathan blamed the rising insecurity in the country on activities of politicians who werehell-bent on grabbing political power through the backdoor, against the popular wish of the people.

He said: Our political activities particularly the use of young people as militiamen and thugs and so on, to win elections has increased the security challenges facing our nation.

Some of the youths they use are so protected that even the police cannot arrest them because they are boys to powerful politicians who use them during elections.

That is why I have always advocated that for us to move forward as a country, we must use electronic voting where nobody will use thugs to win elections.

Immediately we use electronic voting, the issue of thuggery and cultism will drop by at least 50 per cent, he added.

Jonathan and Diri spoke on Sunday at the Third Synod of the Diocese of Ogbia at St Marks Anglican Church, Otakeme in the state.

Represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Bayelsa governor urged youths to shun politicians who only use them to achieve their selfish political goals and abandon them afterwards.

He noted that the only way a youth could resist the temptation of going into thuggery and cultism was to love and appreciate him or herself, as a unique creation of God.

Diri, also used the opportunity to call on people of the state to key into the present administrations prosperity agenda, by embracing agriculture and small scale businesses to better their lot.

Just like our father (the former President) said earlier, I want to encourage our youths to resist evil politicians who do not mean well for them. If they invite you to carry guns, ask them, where are your children? You must learn to love yourself above any politician.

For us as a government, we are determined to improve the lives of our people. And our focus is to see how prosperity can be engendered, he said, adding, Prosperity is not engendered by coming to beg a politician to give you something to eat.

Diri emphasized: The man who teaches you how to fish is better than the one who gives you fish. To be taking fish from a politician every day is to be dependent.

So, we are ready to make our youths self-reliant and prosperous by teaching them how to fish in agriculture and other legitimate endeavours, he explained.

Both leaders made financial donations to the Ogbia Diocese and urged the clergy and laity not to relent in their prayers for the state in particular and the country in general.

Delivering his address, President of the Synod and Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, Rt. Rev. James Aye-Oruwori, cautioned the Federal Government against using its Companies and other Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to undermine the sacred place of the church in society.

He said the theme of this years synod tagged: I Am That I Am emphasizes the self-existent nature of God, who is in perfect control of all situations and circumstances.

Bishop Aye-Oruwori, who thanked the dignitaries and other attendees of the event, urged Christians not to presume to have known God enough, but strive to serve Him in humility at all times.

The 3-day programme had in attendance the Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Rt. Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, his Niger Delta West counterpart, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, the Bishop of the Diocese on the Lake, Imo State, Rt. Rev. Chijioke Oti, in addition to several other prominent personalities from within and outside the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Scores of terrorists killed in massive airstrikes on hideouts in Borno DHQ

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike has eliminated several armed bandits in an air strike on Saturday in the forest at Kuzo area of Kaduna State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Maj. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Enenche said the air attack was executed on the bandits while they were attempting to move hundreds of rustled livestock through the area.

He said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopter, on armed reconnaissance mission in the area, spotted the bandits, along with the rustled livestock, in an open patch along the East-West axis of the forest.

According to him, the helicopter strafed the target area leading to the neutralization of several of the bandits.

Source: NAN News

Ms Amina Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Amina Mohammed is billed to arrive Nigeria on Sunday on a working visit with other members of the global body.

Mohammed, who is leading a delegation of five high level members of the UN to four West African countries, is on a mission to hold discussions on how to build back the economies post-COVID.

A statement issued by the United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria on Sunday, said that the UN delegation will also visit Ghana, Niger and Sierra Leone, all between Nov. 8 and Nov. 11.

She is to discuss with Governments and other stakeholders on strategies to build back better after the devastations caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During her time in Nigeria, she is expected to meet with H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Ms Mohammed will also join Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to launch the Nigeria UN Plus Offer For Socio-Economic Recovery 2020 -2022; as an offer for immediate and medium-term support to the Government and people of Nigeria in response to the socio-economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She will also join the Minister of Women Affairs to launch the Generation Equality campaign in Nigeria; to raise awareness about the Agenda of the Beijing Platform for Action and foster inter-generational exchange and dialogue to empower a new generation of womens rights activists, the statement said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the delegation include: Mr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

Others are: Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU)

Also on the delegation are Ms. Cristina Duarte, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Africa and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator, Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Programme.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19: Our disregard for safety can trigger a deadly second wave Ven. Akunna

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Nigerians have been admonished to refrain from their nonchalant attitude towards the safety protocols of COVID-19 issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Ven. Ifeanyi Akunna, the Vicar of Anglican Church of the Epiphany, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, gave the warning on Sunday, while delivering a sermon titled: Seek Ye First.

The cleric cautioned Nigerians not to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet over, pointing out that continued disregard for their safety can trigger a second wave of the pandemic that could be worse than the first.

He regretted that Nigerians no longer adhered to NCDCs safety advisories on Coronavirus, stating that such lackadaisical attitude can lead to an explosion of COVID-19 infections in Nigeria again.

Everybody should watch and pray so that this second outbreak of Coronavirus will not lead to another round of lockdown and economic meltdown.

It is high time we prayed against this second outbreak so that it will not thrive in Nigeria.

This prayer, however, has to be backed with action as we need to take all the necessary precautions, he said.

He warned against politicizing or commercializing the pandemic and its handling, stressing that anyone who does so will have to answer to God someday.

God will hold anybody responsible, who takes undue advantage of the virus to defraud the government and exploit the poor, he said.
Akunna described the hoarding of palliatives meant for the masses as an act of sheer wickedness as the food aid meant for the poor were knowingly stowed away for selfish intentions.

He urged Nigerians to seek God in everything they do, while identifying greed, wickedness and injustice as the major problems of Nigeria.

The Anglican vicar noted that many Nigerians ran after money, materialism, glamour and fame at the expense of their souls, cautioning that the World, with all its glories, will surely pass away and only those who seek God will inherit eternal life.

Source: NAN News

Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa stun Arsenal

Aston Villa returned to winning ways in stunning fashion as Ollie Watkins scored twice in a 3-0 away thumping of an abject Arsenal in drizzly north London on Sunday.

The visitors had already seen a John McGinn goal ruled out for a harsh offside decision when Bukayo Saka, under pressure from Trezeguet, put into his own goal after 25 minutes.

Aston Villa went up a gear in the second half with Jack Grealish pulling the strings in midfield and it was no surprise when Watkins headed home in the 72nd minute.

Watkins struck again three minutes later after a rapid counter-attack to seal the points.

Two consecutive defeats had halted Aston Villas early season charge but they moved back up to sixth with 15 points from eight games.

Inconsistent Arsenal are down in 11th with 12 points after four wins and four defeats so far.

Source: NAN News

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed,

By Florence Onuegbu

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday in Lagos said that the Federal Government will continue to address the issue of job creation for the youth.

Mohammed said this while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the meeting of governors, ministers and traditional rulers of South-West states following the EndSARS protest mayhem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day meeting was also attended by a Presidential delegation, led by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

He said that the government would continue to engage the youths and address the issue of poverty alleviation.

It is not as if the government has not been addressing the issue of unemployment. The newly launched funds by the government was actually aimed at creating job opportunities.

What the government has done so far is to provide platforms where businesses can thrive, the minister said.

Mohammed said that the purpose of the South-West meeting was to allow governors and other political leaders in the South-West to interact.

He also said that the federal government delegation used the moment to commiserate with the Lagos State Government following the attack it suffered recently in the EndSARS protest mayhem.

It was a peaceful meeting and it was agreed that the state and the federal government response to the initial demand of the EndSARS protest was appropriate, the minister said.

He said that the government would continue to invest in the development of human capacity, with more implementation of economic policies that will engender development and building of more public infrastructure that would empower the teeming youths.

Earlier at the meeting, the South-West traditional rulers blamed politicians for the EndSARS protest mayhem witnessed in the region in the last few weeks.

The monarchs expressed disappointment at the manner politicians had turned politics into money induced venture at the expense of the interest of the youth.

They opined that high rate of unemployment among youths caused the agitation in the EndSARS protest.

The governors have taken the right steps with this meeting. However, they have been far away from we monarchs. You should not wait till election days before you reach out to us. This type of meeting should come regularly.

We know the good and the bad in our communities but we are under-utilised, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, said.

In his reaction, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, said the destruction had put the region in a complex situation.

It is a complex and complicated matter. Our children are jobless and many are hungry. The problems are too much for the states.

The states are not independent. The structure we run in Nigeria cannot allow state governors to do much for their states, he said.

The Oluigbo of Ugbo, Oba Akinruntan Obateru, urged the Inspector General of Police to conduct detailed investigation into the incident and fish out those behind the protest.

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu said that truth is very bitter, noting that majority of the problems were caused by politicians.

The power with the federal government is too much. The security architecture of the country needs to be restructured.

The problem we have in Lagos is security and unemployment. The youths have to be looked after. What happened is pure case of security breach. The entire system needs reformation, Akiolu said.

Source: NAN News