who

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) have called for urgent actions to protect most vulnerable children from deadly measles and polio epidemics as COVID-19 disrupts immunisations.

The UN agencies made the call in a statement posted on WHO website.

According the statement, the agencies have issued an urgent call to action as COVID-19 continues to disrupt immunisation services worldwide, leaving millions of vulnerable children at heightened risk of preventable childhood diseases.

The two organisations estimate that 655 million dollars (400 million dollars for polio and 255 million dollars for measles) are needed to address dangerous immunity gaps in non-Gavi eligible countries and target age groups.

The statement quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General as saying, COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health services and in particular immunisation services worldwide.

But unlike with COVID, we have the tools and knowledge to stop diseases such as polio and measles.

What we need are the resources and commitments to put these tools and knowledge into action. If we do that, childrens lives will be saved.

Similarly, the statement quoted Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director as saying we cannot allow the fight against one deadly disease to cause us to lose ground in the fight against other diseases.

Addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic is critical.

However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world.

That is why today we are urgently calling for global action from country leaders, donors and partners.

We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritise immunisation systems that are critical to protect children and avert other epidemics besides COVID-19.

In recent years, there has been a global resurgence of measles with ongoing outbreaks in all parts of the world.Vaccination coverage gaps have been further exacerbated in 2020 by COVID-19.

In 2019, measles climbed to the highest number of new infections in more than two decades.

Annual measles mortality data for 2019 to be released next week would show the continued negative toll that sustained outbreaks were having in many countries around the world.

At the same time, poliovirus transmission is expected to increase in Pakistan, Afghanistan and in many under-immunised areas of Africa.

Failure to eradicate polio now would lead to global resurgence of the disease, resulting in as many as 200,000 new cases annually within 10 years.

New tools, including a next-generation novel oral polio vaccine and the forthcoming Measles Outbreak Strategic Response Plan are expected to be deployed over the coming months to help tackle these growing threats in a more effective and sustainable manner, and ultimately save lives.

The Plan is a worldwide strategy to quickly and effectively prevent, detect and respond to measles outbreaks.

Source: NAN News

Stocks in the Asia Pacific region were mixed on Friday as Democratic challenger Joe Biden, inches closer to taking the White House.

This comes after Wall Street rose amid protracted vote-counting following the U.S. elections on Tuesday, Nov.3, 2020.

Japans benchmark Nikkei 225Stock Average added 0.91 per cent to end at 24,325.23, hitting the highest level in 29 years, while the broader Topix index was up 0.52 per cent to 1,658.49.

South Koreas benchmark Kospi Indexedged up 0.11per cent to close at 2,416.5.

Chinas Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.24 per cent and Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index edged down 0.09 per cent after a 3.25-per cent surge on Thursday.

Australiasbenchmark S

UNICEF Logo

Olukayode Babalola

UNICEF says the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) will not stop its support and interventions toward the welfare and protection of rights of children in Nasarawa state and the country in general.

Dr Zakari Adam, ChiefofField Office, UNICEF Kaduna, gave the assurance in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Friday.

NAN reports that Nasarawa state falls under the jurisdiction of the Kaduna Field Office of UNICEF.

Adam said the advent of COVID-19 had affected certain activities for children but UNICEF has also taken certain steps to sustain its support for the interventions for children.

According to him, this is to maintain the progress made on the rights and welfare of children in the state.

New initiatives and measures in providing social services and health intervention for children, children returning to school in remote areas and the general protection of the child have been put in place in partnership with the state government.

As UNICEF, we will always be available to give the needed support so that the goals on children can be achieved despite the impact of COVID-19.

And when I am talking of goals, I mean access to social services for children like health, education and what have you.

Ensuring that children are in school, they have access to portable water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives are effective for children and communities. We will continue to prioritise all these interventions concerning children

So, our role in UNICEF is to continue to support whatever measures put in place to ensure children are enjoying their basic rights, he told NAN.

The chief of field office applauded the cooperation and collaboration of the Nasarawa state government on issues regarding children in the state.

He reiterated UNICEFs resolve to continue to partner the state government to meet set goals.

It is a good collaboration we have with the state government and that is why the situation of the children is improving despite COVID-19.

Nasarawa government has put in place measures to ensure that children continue to enjoy their rights.

We want to continue in our role in supporting any effort that makes life better for children in the state, he said.

Adam told NAN that UNICEF had recently concluded a two-day 2020 End of the Year Review and Planning meeting with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

He explained that the essence of the meeting was to take advantage of the end of the year partnership between the state government and UNICEF to review the work plan for 2020, identify activities that were achieved and plan for 2021.

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Oluleye/Sarafina Christopher

With the current global economic downturn, there appears to be a ray of hope for intending livestock farmers as farming in grasscutters is one business that is not affected by foreign exchange.

Mr Alhassan Akogwu, the owner of Favour Grasscutter Farm, Dutse-Bmuko, Bwari Area Council, FCT, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja.

Akogwu, who specialises in grasscutter farming, said he ventured into the business because it was less costly and higher in profit margin.

He said he discovered that the business he started in 2018 had not once been affected by the fluctuation in foreign exchange, but had continued to thrive even in the face of the current economic hardship, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I opted for grasscutter farming because it is less cost-effective and higher in profit margin as against other livestock farming like poultry, cattle and snails.

Before I started this grasscutter venture, I was always running into debts, so I call it a business that dollar does not affect.

I have been into livestock farming for some time. I started with fish farming, but the fluctuation in the price of dollar affected the business and it became an issue.

Any time the fish feed finished, I could neither sleep nor rest because the price was increasing on a weekly basis, he explained.

According to Akogwu, he started searching for a kind of livestock business that will not be affected by dollar, and came across grasscutter farming, as all that was required to rear it was within ones reach.

All it consumes is within your community; you do not have to buy their food.

When I was rearing fish, if their food finished, there would be tension in the house as we would be under pressure of where to get money to buy feed.

Meanwhile, with grasscutter, you have nothing to be afraid of because wherever you go you must see and get grass for the feeding.

Giving more insight into the business, Akogwu emphasised on training as the basic tool in starting the business.

Rearing of grasscutter is very easy, but you have to acquire training first on how to take care of them.

This training is not theoretical, rather it is a practical one done right in the farm because the grasscutter is a wild animal that needs to be handled with caution.

To start this business, you need to get a litters, and each litter can give you 3-4 young grasscutters.

These young animals suckle for 49 days before they are weaned, and the female mates again. After this, it is necessary to check if the female is pregnant.

Because grasscutters are polygamous in nature, their gestation period is five months, they give birth twice a year with a minimum of 4-5 youngsters and maximum of 15-17.

Meaning within a year, you have up to 50 young grasscutters, and when you sell them according to colony, you discover that you make profit and return on investment.

Coming down to the marketing and consumption of grasscutters, you do not have any difficulty in selling because there is no religious or cultural prohibition of grasscutter meat, everyone can eat it and it is very nutritious.

Also contributing, Mrs Elizabeth Akogwu, said farming in grassutters, also known as cane rat, was more profitable than working and earning salary because she had worked in the private sector for five years and had nothing to show for it.

Mrs Akogwu said she realised that apart from the fear of job insecurity, it was time consuming, had no long term benefits, and the take home pay was nothing to write home about.

My husband advised me that instead of depending on a meagre salary, why would I not join him in the business.

At first, I was a bit discouraged, but when the grasscutters started reproducing and yielding faster, I was really happy.

So I want to encourage women to support their husbands when they have business ideas like this.

Also the single ladies can do it too, you do not have to wait until you are married before you start the business, you can be doing this for your future home, she said.

While also encouraging the youths to explore opportunities in the business, Mrs Akogwu noted that there were lots of benefits with determination and perseverance.

If our youths can channel their energy into this kind of business, it will be difficult to find hoodlums in the country, because it is cost effective, less stressful and you can make a lot money from it.

I believe that one day people will come from other countries to buy grasscutters, and it will be an indigenous meat from Nigeria, she said.

NAN reports that grasscutters are loved and treasured in West and Central Africa; and their meat is considered to have one of the highest protein level and lowest fat content.

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Ebonyi Government has banned the use of high-speed motorcycles for both private and commercial purposes in Abakaliki and other urban centres in the state.

The states Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki.

The commissioner said that the decision was taken at the states executive council meeting.

Orji noted that the governments move was aimed at containing the rate which criminals use high-speed motorcycles to perpetrate crimes in different parts of the state.

He added that government also banned commercial and private motorcyclists from operating in any part of the state between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The ban on the use of high-powered motorcycles is an exco decision and its aimed at curtailing criminality in the state.

Security report has it that some of the people that use high-speed motorcycles use them to hit their unsuspecting targets and zoom off. So it was banned.

Government has also outlawed ordinary motorcycles for both commercial and private motorcyclists from operating in the state between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The action is taken to effectively protect and secure the state, our citizens and their property.

Our dear Gov. Dave Umahi is irrevocably committed to the protection of the lives and property of everybody living in the state, said Orji.

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

By Mustapha Yauri

A High Court sitting in Dogarawa Zaria, Kaduna State on Friday refused an application seeking to stop the coronation of Amb. Nuhu Bamalli, as the Emir of Zazzau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coronation is scheduled to hold on Nov.9

The suit was filed by Alhaji Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) challenging the coronation of the new emir.

NAN reports that that on Oct. 16, Aminu filed an interlocutory application praying the court for an order of interim injunction restraining Gov. Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna from installing, crowning, recognising and dealing with any person whosoever as the emir of Zazzau.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Kabir Dabo, said: due to the important roles played by traditional rulers in the society and likelihood of a breakdown in peace.

Chieftaincy matters must be given accelerated hearing by courts in line with the reasoning of Supreme Court injunctions like this should be utterly discouraged.

The court prefers to make an order of accelerated hearing or trial than to grant an injunctive order sought by the Plaintiff.

The sole issue for determination is whether at this stage it will be in the interest of justice to grant this application. The answer in no.

The reliefs prayed for in the motion dated Oct. 10 are refused, he said

He, therefore, adjourned the matter until Nov. 11 for pre-trial conference.

Aminu through his counsel, Yunus Usman, SAN, prayed the court to stop the Gov. El-rufai from performing or executing any ceremony for the purpose of installing any person as emir of Zazzau pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

He prayed for an order of interim injunction restraining Bamalli from parading himself as the Emir of Zazzau pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Other defendants are Balarabe Lawal, Secretary to Kaduna State Government, the Attorney-General of Kaduna State, Jafaru Sani (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Kaduna State) and Zazzau Emirate Council; Ibrahim Aminu (wazirin Zazzau).

Others are Alhaji Umar Mohammed (Fagacin Zazzau); Alhaji Muhammad Abbas (Makama Karamin Zazzau); Alhaji Dalhatu Kasim (Limamin Jummaan Zazzau) and Alhaji Muhammad-Sani Aliyu (Limamin Kona Zazzau).

Source: NAN News

UNESCO

By Justina Auta

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has stressed the
need for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) competencies to dispel misinformation surrounding COVID-19.

The Officer in Charge of UNESCO Abuja Regional Office, Mr Sow Mamadou-Lamine, made the call during a Webinar
with theme Creating a Peaceful Society: Media and Information Literacy, A Way Out.

The Webinar was part of activities to mark Regional Commemoration of the Global MIL Week 2020, annually marked to review
and celebrate the progress achieved toward MIL for All.

Mamadou-Lamine said that media and information competencies would improve access to knowledge for all; freedom of expression,
which were necessary to win the war on misinformation.

He added that we witnessed broad circulation of misinformation and conspiracy on COVID-19 pandemic worldwide in the past 10
months.

In spite of the late arrival of COVID-19 to some West African countries, related misinformation continued to impede access to
trustworthy sources and reliable information, with the ravage of the virus itself.

The crisis also shed a light on the deficiencies in systematic mechanisms to combat disinformation in an emergency.

Dr Zubairu Attah, a Consultant and Specialist on gender issues who spoke on Emergency Communication, said media and information
literacy ensured better understanding of issues and how to address them to avoid crises and instability in any society.

Attah suggested that strategic behavioural change activities be done structurally, psycho-socially and comprehensively
with stakeholders involved to get individual, institutional and corporate attitudinal change, necessary for nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regional celebration lasted three months from August till
November 2020 with activities organised by UNESCO Abuja to combat disinformation from communication experts
and the public, especially the youth.

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibas

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) says plans are underway for the 2020 general pilgrimage to Israel to begin on Dec. 13.

Dr Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, NCPC announced this on Friday at a meeting with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa.

Represented by Mr Amos Yohanna, NCPCs Director of Operations, Pam said that intending pilgrims from Rivers and environs were among the first batch to be airlifted to Jerusalem, Israel.

So, we came here to discuss with management of the Port Harcourt International Airport just as we are planning to flag off the 2020 pilgrimage on Dec. 13.

We are already in touch with all stakeholders to ensure that we have seamless exercise, understanding that 2020 exercise will be quite different due to COVID-19 pandemic.

So basically, we are here to see how both agencies can cooperate and ensure that pilgrims are kept safe with the Federal Governments protocol on COVID-19, he said.

Pam said that the commission was already in partnership with the Israeli authorities and had put in place measures to ensure a successful airlifting of pilgrims to the holy land.

We are aware that one of the restrictions put in place by the government is that non passengers are not allowed inside the airport.

But, we are concerned that some of the pilgrims are travelling out of the country for the first time, and so they need assistance.

So, we are meeting with the airport authorities to allow few of our personnel inside the airport to assist pilgrims travelling out of the country for the first time, he said.

Mr Felix Akinbinu, Manager of the Port Harcourt International Airport assured the NCPC delegation of full cooperation after it secured approval of the Federal Government to use the facility.

He pointed out that FAAN had the resources, manpower and equipment needed to handle special flights.

We pray that we get signal to commence international flights; but if we dont, we also have manpower on ground to attend to special flights for pilgrims.

However, we expect pilgrims to be law abiding and submit themselves to all checks inside the terminal building, he added.

Source: NAN News

By Fortune Abang

Mr Thamsanqa Mseleku, the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, says his country is committed to deepening media relations with Nigeria through institutions, such as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),.

Mseleku said this while receiving Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of NAN, who was on a courtesy visit to the South Africa High Commission in Abuja on Friday.

He described the move to strengthen media relations between South Africa and Nigeria as timely and promised to do everything within the ambit of the mission to achieve results.

According to him, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SBAC) is undergoing restructuring, especially as government or private owned media agencies do not have adequate funding, therefore search for other mechanisms.

Mseleku said, We are very keen as a mission to improve people-to-people relations and the media is very central to achieving that.

Through such means, people can be exposed to understand one another and who they are; which is one area that we have been trying to have conversations with our government and Nigeria.

South Africans need to begin to see voices of true Nigerians, such that Nigerians are not misunderstood, because there are a lot of real Nigerians, but a silent majority.

The perception given is that Nigeria is what you see in the street selling drugs, human trafficking, yet Nigerians in South Africa comprise whole range of very skilled and dedicated people.

From nuclear Physicists, Mathematicians and Doctors, but they are not visible, except to their students and not the public, so we need to create platforms to deepen media relations.

He reiterated that the collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria in terms of media relations has become imperative to promote value exchange and knowledge sharing.

He explained collaboration between South African and Nigerian artistes to showcase oneness at their various levels, but decried the fact that such was not published on relevant media platforms.

When you see stories on social media that are anti-Nigeria sentiment, South African artistes respond and get negative publication, because there is no adequate room for information exchange to counter such.

There is a lot of work to do; the media is a very important platform for disseminating information about both countries to ensure we benefit from each other in various ways, he added.

Earlier, Ponle had said his visit was to further deepen relations between NAN and the commission.

He said NAN at inception had established 10 outstations, including one in South Africa, but was left with three offices due to paucity of funds, which affected their operations.

He said that NAN had established cooperation with South Africa and therefore, underscored the need for partnership with the commission to increase visibility between the two countries via the media.

According to him, plans have been put in place to renew operations of NAN outstation in South Africa, in 2021.

We are trying to change the narrative and perception, and to ensure that we put to the barest minimum issues of hate speech and fake news.

When we deepen media relations and project it as it is, about Nigerians in South Africa and South Africans in Nigeria, the whole thing will change for good.

What we have as differences about one another will just dissolve, when they see the whole thing published and being watched by millions of viewers.

This is the essence of our exchange programme and that is what we have been doing and will continue to do, Ponle said.

He, however, identified SMS mobile service, PR-wire and NAN forum, as a high profile platforms for captains of industry, diplomatic missions and heads of ministries, departments and agencies, which NAN provides.

NAN reports that the high point of the visit was the exchange of gifts between Ponle and Mseleku.

Source: NAN News

APC logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has taken delivery of the partys membership registration materials.

The Chairman of the committee, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, said on Thursday in Abuja that the delivery of the materials was the beginning of the efforts at repositioning APC as a viable, consistent, cohesive and coordinated political party in the country.

We just took delivery of the first consignment of the registration materials.

The membership registration will commence soon and we have more than 119,973 polling units across the country, he said.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, added that the consignment came with personal information slips, stressing that the date for the commencement of the exercise would be made known in due time.

We are going to register, revalidate and update our existing membership register across the country, Buni added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had earlier appealed to aggrieved members of the party to halt all litigations in the spirit of true reconciliation.

The committee had expressed optimism that the affected parties would fully comply with the appeal in the true spirit of peace and reconciliation.

NAN further reports that the APC caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee was inaugurated on June 25 to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

The committee, with six months life span, is also expected to plan a national convention for the election of members of the partys National Working Committee (NWC). (NAN)

Source: NAN News