By Yahaya Isah

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) said property valued at more than N23.3 billion were lost to fire outbreaks in the country between October and December, 2022.

This is contained in a statistical report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja by Mr Abraham Paul, the FFS Public Relations Officer.

The report showed that 649 fire outbreaks were recorded within the period under review, while property valued at about N145.4 billion were saved.

It indicated that 28 lives were lost in the fire incidents within the period, while 40 others were rescued.

The report gave the number of properties affected to include 111 public buildings and 230 private ones, 11 educational establishments, 61 shops, 19 factories and banks, nine clubs, hotels and restaurants.

It added that 56 petrol stations, 21 oil and gas facilities, two timber sheds, 63 automobile, 17 markets and 49 others were also destroyed by fire within the period under review.

On the causes of the fire incidents, the report indicated that 122 of the cases were linked to electrical equipment and high voltage, while 16 were due to illegal storage of petroleum products.

According to the report, 32 of the fire incidents were caused by cigarette stub and bush burning,185 by electrical sparks, 37 through gas, 104 due to accidents, arson and automobile incidents.

The statistics further showed that 88 of the fire incidents were due to unknown causes and seven as a result of building collapse.

The report also showed that 17 out of the fire incidents were under investigation.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

![Agba felicitates C

Gov. Hope Uzodimma

By Victor Nwachukwu

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has sacked his Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Ford Ozumba, over an on-going face-off between the Imo chapter of the NLC and the state government.

This is contained in a statement signed by the governors media aide, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Saturday.

Gov. Uzodimma has approved the immediate removal of Chief Ford Ozumba, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, from office.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba says the governor directed Chief Ozumba to hand over to the Permanent Secretary at the ministry with immediate effect, the statement read.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company shut power supply to Imo since Thursday in compliance with NLCs directive. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

Amotekun Corps

By Olajide Idowu

Amotekun Corps, the security network of states in the Southwest geo-political zone arrested a 24-year-old suspected rapist in Iwo, Osun, on Friday.

He was alleged to have been keeping a 16-year-old girl in his room for three days while having carnal knowledge of her.

Commander of the corps in Osun, retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, told newsmen in Osogbo on Saturday that the security outfit arrested a 28-year-old herbalist almost in Iwo.

The herbalist allegedly defrauded some persons and was also found to be in possession of fake 100 dollar and N1,000 notes.

The suspects were arrested at different locations in Iwo on Friday after reports were made to Amotekun about their nefarious activities.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes and were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, Adewinmbi said.

The Amotekun commander urged Osun residents to always assist security agencies with information that could help to prevent crime and apprehend criminals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Mr Abubakar Bello, the Managing Director, Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), and other stakeholders have stressed the need for gender equity and womens empowerment to improve access to health, education, economic and political opportunities in the country.

They made the call at a family fun weekend, organised by NEXIM Bank, in commemoration of the 2023 international Womens Day (IWD) celebration in Abuja.

The NEXIM Bank boss said women play significant role in every area of human development, hence the need to ensure they had access to opportunities that would further harness their potentials for the development of any nation.

According to Bello, the bank prioritises anything concerning women, adding that women should be celebrated all the time for their immense contribution to the society.

We should not just celebrate women only on womens day or month.

Women should be celebrated everyday. This years theme, which talks about embracing equity, should not be celebrated only on womens day, but all the time as we are talking about moving forward to the future.

Every womens day, we make promises on equal opportunities, equity, amongst others.

I want a feedback from the women from all the promises made in the past, where are we? Are you satisfied with what we have done? he said.

The NEXIM Bank boss further added that the bank prioritises the well being and health of its workforce to ensure maximum productivity.

We take the competence of women seriously, especially when bringing in new staff. Its not a favour that we are doing to the women, it is a favour that we are doing to the agency.

We are happy about the issues discussed by the speakers. One spoke about being focused, another on health and wellbeing.

Another one spoke about motivation and how to remove obstacles and barriers affecting womens development, he said.

He, therefore, stressed the need to accommodate more women so that they can give in their best in any workforce and the society in general.

Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, stressed the need for programes that would bridge the gap for women to become independent and contribute to national development.

On the issue of challenges affecting women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Sulaiman-Ibrahim decried its effects on them, calling for more collaboration to address them.

Women are the most hit, they loose their privacy when such things happen and it is hard for them.

They carry a lot of burden because they become the caregivers, heads of households and other challenges for women when displacement and emergency happen.

We must work collectively to address these challenges facing women, she said.

Mrs Maryam Lemu, a motivational speaker, encouraged women to key into the digital world and give in their best to the development of their homes, community and nation at large.

Digital world should be embraced by everyone and stop focusing on the negative.

Let key people who have access make it possible for more women to have access because once a woman has access to knowledge and she learns, she can empower her family, the society and hopefully generation will be better than what she didnt get.

Dont listen to negativity, sometimes it comes from us, we keep making excuses why we cannot do somethings.

But it is just background noise, so reduce the volume on that and focus on what you can do. The possibilities are limitlessness, she said.

Also, Dr Amina Dorayi, Country Director, Pathfinder, encouraged women to prioritise their health, mental well being and eat healthy food and fruits.

This is one of the best thing you can do for your staff work that prioritises your wellbeing. You are the most important person in your life and those around you, so do not joke with your health. Health is life, health is everything, she said.

NAN reports that other highlights of the day were various sporting activities for staff of NEXIM Bank, their family members and other stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Patricia Amogu

A Civil Society Organisation, Global Network for Sustainable Development( GNSD), has called on Civil Society Organisations and other youth platforms to desist from acts of public incitements, describing the calls for the arrest of Enenche as tyrannical.

The National Coordinator ,GNSD, Mr Phil Roberts, made the call in a statement on Friday, in Abuja.

Robert said that such groups were hired to silence the voice of reason and render our nation a tyrannical and dictatorial enclave .

A society where citizens live in perpetual fear and bondage.

It is advised that such groups should stop further acts of public incitements against the person of Dr Paul Enenche, their actions so far are tantamount to a gross abuse of his fundamental human rights as a free citizen

A certain provocative and inconsequential call by a faceless self-acclaimed Civil Society group, Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) for the arrest of Dr Paul Enenche and Pastor Sarah Omakwu is such that threaten national security .

The fact that they make such calls especially regarding the arrest of Dr Paul Enenche in particular, in spite of the fact that he is not the only one calling for electoral probity and justice, makes their motive questionable,Roberts said.

According to him, other renowned clerics from both Islamic and Christian faiths drew the attention of the government to the irregularities that characterised the recent elections, yet these faceless groups are bent on calling for the crucifixion of one man.

The conduct of these groups is antithetical to democracy and freedom of speech, they represent the worst enemy of the Nigerian nation as they are out to sabotage the efforts of both the state and the citizens in building a more tolerant, progressive and inclusive society.

One wonders if these individuals masquerading as a civil society groups understand what civil society advocacy stands for, how can you call yourself civil while you are brazenly advocating for tyranny and dictatorship?

How can you be advocating a civilized society, while at the same time, calling for undemocratic use of force to stifle citizens freedom of speech as in the constitution?, he said.

According to him, how can you be a centre for citizens rights, while openly fighting to deprive them of their fundamental human rights?

How can you address yourself as civil while openly canvassing for illegitimate use of force by agents of the state against her citizens?

How can you be fighting for and against citizens rights at the same time? This is nothing short of bareface hypocrisy and duplicity, it added.

He noted that the country was advancing as a civilised society and they cannot drive us backward in their brazen pursuit of filthy lucre.

They are, therefore, advised to stop further acts of public incitements against the person of Dr Paul Enenche as their actions so far are tantamount to a gross abuse of his fundamental human right as a free citizen.

They have no moral or legal basis to call for the arrest of a law-abiding, responsible and impactful citizen in free expression of his civic and political opinion as guaranteed by the constitution.

It therefore ,stated, that any further incitement by such groups against the person of Paul Enenche would be taken as a deliberate and willful provocation, aggression and assault, he said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

The Inspector General of Police (I-,G), Mr Alkali Baba, has presented cheques of N16 million to families of police officers who died in active service in Kogi.

The IG made the presentations through the Kogi Commissioner of Police, Akeem Yusuf, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration: DCP Abel Audu at the Commands Headquarters in Lokoja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Lokoja that the N16 million cheques were presented to the next of kin of 28 Police Officers who died in active service in the state..

Baba explained, this gesture is part of the Group Life Assurance Scheme and IGPs Family welfare Insurance aimed at improving the welfare of the families of the deceased Police Officers,

,This is also aimed at encouraging other Officers who are in active service to give their best to the nation, which will not forget their patriotism and services.

To us as a force, the loss of the deceased personnel is tragic and painful but we all have to bear it as God knows why, he said.

He, however, urged the beneficiaries not to misuse the funds but should endeavour to make judicious use of them for the betterment of their families.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs S. John, expressed appreciation to the IGP for the gesture and promised to make good use of the money for the benefit of their families. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Market women in Lagos celebrating International Womens Day

By Oluwatope Lawanson

A non-governmental organisation, Women Liberation and Transformation Group (W-LIT), have called on women to embrace innovation and technology to enhance gender equality.

The Executive Director of W-LIT, Mrs Olanike Mic-Taiwo, made the call at a meeting of market women at Bariga/Shomolu, Lagos, to celebrate the 2023 International Womens Day (IWD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, which was sub-granted by Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), was funded by Ford Foundation.

IWD is celebrated on March 8 annually to raise awareness on women issues.

The 2023 IWD had the theme: Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.

Mic-Taiwo said that the theme was apt considering the Nigerias transition to a cashless society where technology was playing a vital role.

She urged governments to provide information and communication technology hubs in markets and rural communities so that women and girls could be trained to be digitally inclined and leverage social media platforms to grow their businesses.

She called on governments to bridge the digital gap especially in rural communities, saying that women and girls were lagging behind in the digital space.

She said that technology was essential in advancing gender equality.

If women and girls can access and use technology safely, they can amplify their voices.

Women should take advantage of opportunities in the digital space to improve their businesses and end violence against them.

Quite a number of market women are not digitally inclined and it has really affected their businesses especially with the cashless policy in Nigeria.

Some of them are already experiencing various challenges at home and in their businesses, she said.

Mic-Taiwo advised market women to be digitally inclined to attain greater heights.

She also encouraged women to be active and contribute their quotas to societal development through innovations and technology.

They should know that the cashless policy is the new normal and a reality.

The era of carrying huge cash about is phasing out; therefore, market women have to embrace technology to be relevant in their businesses, she said.

Mic-Taiwo advised market leaders to have a database of market men and women, indicating their businesses.

She said: By so doing, when opportunities arise from the state government, they can be easily accessible.

Also, it helps to monitor activities of their members, they can be easily identified. It will also help to curb violence.

The Iyaloja-General (Market Leader) of Somolu, Mrs Modupeola Olufojude, urged governments to sensitise market leaders about technology and innovations.

According to her, this is the time for market men and women to embrace best global practices.

They should know how to leverage technology and social media space to boost businesses, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

Dr. Ibrahim Kana

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, says that the Presidential Transition Council will make life and governance more comfortable for the incoming president.

Kana said this in a statement by Mrs Victoria Agba-Attah, Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, in Abuja, on Friday, .

Kana said this, while speaking at the joint session briefing between the officials of the ministry and members of the Transition Technical Task Team (TTTT).

The permanent secretary disclosed that the roadmap had already been drawn for him for a quick start of his administration.

He gave assurance that the presidential transition council inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Feb. 14, would enable a seamless transition of power from one presidential administration to another.

According to him, the Transitional Council is charged with the responsibility of facilitating and managing the 2023 Presidential Transition Programme and the handing-over process by the current President to the President-elect.

The council is to look at the nine priority areas of the current administration in drafting the template.

The Provision of security to all the citizens of Nigeria is among the nine priority areas of the current administration, he said.

He promised that individual saddled with the responsibility of that mandate, he would do everything possible to comply with the directives of the council.

He also promised to ensure that it succeeded in meeting up with the expectation of Mr. President.

As a ministry, we have started the transition processes having set up our own ministerial transition task team.

We are on ground and we hope to comply according to the directives of the TTTT in meeting with the deadline given to us, he said.

He commended the members of the TTTT for the presentations which according to him were based on The Presidential Transition Process of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and MDA Transition Guide and the Introduction of the Performance Review Session.

He said the briefing session was highly technical and apt and assured the members of the TTTT of ministrys readiness to deliver on quick time, all the prayers as well as the directives of the Task Team to enable a seamless transition process.

Kana revealed that the entire management of the MoD had been charged by the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, to work with the TTTT to deliver within the stipulated deadline.

He added that the process of the transition had the full support of the minister.

Earlier, in his presentation the representative of the Office of the SGF, Mr. Ibrahim Hassan, said the purpose of the briefing session was not to audit the ministry but to provide the needed guidelines to all the stakeholders for a hitch free process of transition of power.

Hassan explained that the council was chaired by the SGF and had members from MDAs.

He further said that the two documents to be produced for the 2023 presidential transition process included compendium of policies.

The others he said were programmes and projects that were delivered to implement the nine priority areas of the Federal Government and Sector briefing notes to provide status of performance of the Administration underneath priority areas.

In attendance at the briefing session were the members of the TTTT and the Management staff of the ministry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Isaac Aregbesola

Two transparency groups have threatened to drag the leadership of North East Development Commission (NEDC) to the EFCC and ICPC over alleged mismanagement of N146.19 billion.

The groups, People Advocacy for Transparency and Accountability (PATAI)and Al-Mushaid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA), gave the NEDC up to March 15, to respond to the allegations.

The Executive Chairman of PATAI, Mr Francis Bassey, and the President of AITA, Amb. Aminu Majidadi, issued the ultimatum during a joint news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

According to them, the commission has refused to respond to the petition earlier sent to it by some patriotic Nigerians.

He added that the two groups have also sent three reminders to the commission dated Janu. 18 and 31, as well as Feb. 14, 2023, without response.

Bassey explained that the core allegations bordered on corruption, financial misappropriation and abuse of office.

He claimed that the N146.19 billion was the budgetary allocation to the commission.

According to him, money has been paid in full for projects not completed or even abandoned.

The abandoned projects include construction of central workshop in Maiduguri, Borno; construction of Birma Primary School at Kashimbila in Taraba; Madagali and Pinlla primary schools projects in Adamawa.

Others are supply of equipment at Eye Clinic Centre in Azare; construction of ICT training centre; construction of College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau, all in Bauchi state, he said.

Bassey listed other abandoned projects to include the mass housing project in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State, and 200 mass housing units in Nguru as well as a 300 mass housing project in Damatutru, both in Yobe.

He claimed that there were also abandoned projects in Jalingo, Sadauna, Zing and Ussa Local Government Areas of Taraba, among others.

According to him, the two groups have conducted thorough investigation of the claims in the petitions and awaiting the response of the NEDC.

He said that their concern was to ensure accountability in the handling of public funds so that it would benefit Nigerians.

It is on the account of promoting transparency and accountability by holding those in authority accountable that we gave the Commission a chance to respond to issues of grave allegations raised against them.

We also wrote several memos to the Commission to address the issues raised in the petitions against them. It is sad to note that they have not responded positively to our enquiries till date, he stated.

Reacting to the allegations, the Head, Corporate Services, NEDC, Mr Abba Musa, declined comment, stressing that he was not authorised to speak on the issue.

He said that it was only the managing director that had the mandate to speak on the matter.(NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News