By Patricia Amogu

The entertainment industry, in affiliation with the Lagos State Government and the Federal ministry of information and Culture, is to launch an innovative Roundtable toward harnessing the potential of the industry.

Also in the partnership is the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning, according to Mr Chuks Akamadu, Director General of Afrocultour, a brainchild of the initiative.

He told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the roundtable was expected to put the entertainment industry in the forefront of harnessing Nigerias vast resources, potentials and assets.

The prime objective of the roundtable is to urgently design an inclusive industry framework for stimulating and re-energising the economy to stabilise and flourish sustainably amid COVID-19, post-COVID-19, and in the face of unprecedented crude oil dwindling fortunes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the innovation, which is expected to take off on December 10, is the first Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable.

It is borne out of a need to fill in the gaps associated with grant initiatives; it is a policy intervention meant to support the creative and entertainment industry.

Akamadu said that the creative and entertainment industry was a potential cash cow that should be nurtured to take its rightful place in the nations economy to enable it contribute to the nations Gross Domestic Product.

He said that the Roundtable was conceived to be a robust platform for mutually profitable engagement between creative and entertainment industry practitioners and their diverse stakeholders.

Mr Butven Nkem, a former Nigerian Ambassador and Chairman of the Roundtable committee, commended the efforts toward injecting substantial changes in the entertainment industry.

Mrs Joy Maduakor of the finance ministry, in her remark, said that the ministry was ready to partner with the industry to grow the economy.

The entertainment, hospitality, culture and tourism industry are all categorised into the creative industry; our focus is to harness its economic potentials.

It is a major focal area in the diversification agenda. If the tourism industry begins to work again, it will attract foreign investors and people will always want to come which will have a mass of multiplier effects, she said.

NAN reports that the theme of the maiden Roundtable expected to hold in Lagos is: Positioning the creative and entertainment industry to lead private sector role in supporting federal and state governments efforts at acheiving urgent economic diversification.

Source: NAN News

Tokyo Olympics

Japan said on Tuesday it would take counter-measures to ensure next years Tokyo Olympics were not derailed by cyberattacks.

Britain and the U.S. had accused Russia of orchestrating efforts to disrupt the Games.

Olympics organisers reported no significant impact on their operations for the 2020 Games, which were postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Britain and the U.S. on Monday condemned what they said were a series of malicious cyberattacks orchestrated by Russian military intelligence, including attempts to disrupt the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato declined to give details but said Japan would make every effort to protect the Games from possible hacking attempts.

We cannot turn a blind eye to malicious cyberattacks that threaten democracy, Kato told a news conference, adding that Japan was gathering and analysing information and in close contact with Britain and the U.S.

The Olympics are a major international event that attract attention, and cybersecurity measures are extremely important.

British officials said on Monday the hackers from Russias GRU military intelligence agency had also conducted cyber reconnaissance operations against Tokyo Games organisers.

They declined to give specific details about the latest attacks or say whether they were successful but said they had targeted Games organisers, logistics suppliers and sponsors.

The organising committee said in a statement they had already made extensive cybersecurity preparations and that there had been little disruption to its platforms.

While we have constantly monitored various types of cyberattack on the digital platforms owned by Tokyo 2020, no significant impact has been observed in our operations, spokesman Masa Takaya said.

Olympic sponsor Panasonic Corp said in a statement they were strengthening their global monitoring efforts, adding we did not detect any evidence of an attack.

A representative for fellow sponsor Toyota Motor Corp declined to comment.

A string of hacking attempts have been conducted against international sports organisations which Western officials and cybersecurity experts say were orchestrated by Russia since its doping scandal erupted five years ago.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Russia was banned from the worlds top sports events for four years in December over widespread doping offences, including the Tokyo Games.

An International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman said cybersecurity was one of their priorities.

The IOC and the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games have identified cyber security as a priority area and invest a lot to offer the Olympic Games the best cyber security environment possible, the spokesman told Reuters in an email.

Given the nature of the topic, we do not divulge those measures.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

A Nursing expert, Mrs Victoria Opakunle, has warned Nigerians against consuming dented and rusted canned foods as it could cause some deadly diseases in the body.

Opakunle, Head of the Nursing Unit, Kamwire Medical Centre, Ilorin, gave the warning in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that dented or rusted cans could have tiny holes which allowed bacteria to enter the food, saying that this could be disastrous to health.

She condemned the habit of some Nigerians who consumed foods from rusted containers, saying that this could also cause cancer and other deadly diseases.

Opakunle noted that dented, swollen or rusty cans were indications that the food inside the container was no longer safe to consume.

There are some things people do not take serious and one of them is eating from dented or rusted containers because they may not be aware of the health implications.

Cans that are heavily rusted can have tiny holes in them, thereby allowing bacteria to enter.

Surface rust that you can remove with your finger or paper towel is not serious.

If you open the cans and there is any rust inside, do not eat the food.

The way cans are stored will affect the life of the food inside the cans, she said.

According to her, if foods are stored in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature, they will last longer than cans stored in places where the temperature fluctuates widely.

Damp storage areas can cause the can to rust which will also shorten the shelf life of the can, Opakunle said.

The nurse advised that Nigerians should stop consuming foods from rusted containers because that was serious food poisoning.

She also advised dealers not to store canned foods under the sun or rain for too long to avoid rusting before they were distributed.

Opakunle called on the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to take adequate steps to ensure that manufacturers and dealers did not circulate rusted canned foods.

Source: NAN News

Security agents

By Ifeoma Aka

An Enugu-based socio-cultural organisation, Igbo Oriental Think Tank Worldwide (IOTTW) has called for an overhaul of the nations security and electoral systems.

Its Coordinator, Dr. Kenneth Anozie, made the call in a statement issued in Enugu on Tuesday.

He said that the current realities in the country called for urgent steps by the Federal Government to strengthen the countrys security architecture and make the electoral process more credible.

Anozie suggested that appointment of heads of security agencies in the country should be made to reflect the federal character.

Headship of Nigerias security agencies should be equitably distributed among the geo-political zones in the country, he said.

The IOTTW coordinator also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards stamping Boko Haram and other militant groups out of the country.

He said that most challenges plaguing the nation would be effectively tackled if the leadership showed the political will to promote national unity, enhance security and ensure credible polls.

Challenges such as corruption, youth restiveness, unemployment, security, and poverty will be over if the leadership listens to the yearnings of the people, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PAN to introduce new brands of affordable vehicles in Nigeria Wadada

By Salisu Sani-Idris

PAN Nigeria is to introduce new brands of vehicles into the market to re-launch brand affordability in the country.

The Chairman, PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ahmed Wadada made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Wadada said: in 2019, Nigeria imported at least 400,000 used cars (Tokunbo) as against 68,000 brand new vehicles.

Because of these imbalances, PAN will do this so that Nigerians will have access to brand new vehicles, he said.

He also disclosed that over the next three years, the company would be injecting 150 million dollars to retool, upgrade its assembly line, support infrastructure and working capital.

We treasure our human capital and strongly believe in them to drive our vision and aspirations for PAN Nigeria.

That is why we are immensely putting in place an attractive condition of service that will retain and motivate our human capital.

And also attract the best hands to restore PAN Nigeria to its number one position in Nigeria and West Africa, Wadada noted.

Heappealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to represent the Automotive Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.

He assured Nigerians that PAN would lobby the National Assembly to support President Buhari to ensure the enactment of the legislation.

He expressed hope that Buhari would continue to sustain the favourable environment to attract more investors in to the country.

The former lawmaker also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support the company and all other genuine assembly plants by making foreign exchange available for their imports.

Wadada revealed that the company would introduce a robust car financing scheme which would be a collaboration and partnership between its dealership and few selected banks.

This will be in fulfillment of President Buharis wish for Nigerians to afford brand new vehicles, Wadada said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

FRSC personnel at an scene of an accident

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger has confirmed the death of six persons in a multiple accident that occurred on the Lapai-Agaiye-Bida road on Tuesday.

FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Joel Dagwa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday that three other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the auto crash.

He blamed the accident on loss of control and brake failure and advised motorists to exercise caution and adhere strictly to speed limits while driving.

He said that five trucks were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 5 a.m. and that they caught fire.

Nine persons were involved in the accident; six died while three sustained various degrees of injuries and were all evacuated to Lapai General Hospital.

He added that the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the morgue in the same hospital, while those injured were already responding to treatment.

We will sustain our aggressive patrols across all major highways to ensure that road users adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents, Dagwa said.

Source: NAN News

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

The Governing Council of the National Parks Service has approved the promotion of 245 officers in the Service to various ranks.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of Service (C-G) disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday after flagging off the decoration of the officers at its headquarters.

Goni in his speech commended the promoted officers for their high sense of duty, honesty, loyalty, discipline and total commitment to the course of the Service.

While I congratulate you for achieving this feat, I must hasten to draw your attention to the emerging challenges in the management of our national parks and other protected areas in the country.

As you are aware criminal elements are now using the forests as hideouts to execute organised crimes such as banditry and kidnapping and menacing the public, thereby heightening insecurity in the country.

Therefore, I charge you to redouble your efforts in the discharge of your duties to ensure that our national parks and their environs are free from all manner of criminalities.

I also expect you to live up to the responsibility of your new offices and serve as role models to upcoming officers while providing new vista in protected areas management, he said.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the wherewithal to develop the National Parks and thanked the Minister of Environment for always giving the National Parks Service accelerated attention.

Two of the officers decorated on Tuesday were Emmanuel Bebiem from Conservator of Parks (CP) to Assistant Conservator-General (ACG) in charge of Works and Maintenance Department and Yakubu Zull the Media Assistant to the Conservator-General from Deputy Conservator of Parks to CP.

The new ACG, Bebeim, in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to the Conservator-General and the management team for the promotion, noting that the exercise confirmed the focus and determination of the C-G to put the welfare of staff first in repositioning the Service for greater productivity.

Bebeim assured the C-G of the staff members loyalty and support to reciprocate the honour done to them.

Source: NAN News

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised two bandits at Kango and Adumata villages in Nasarawa State on Oct. 18.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that operatives of Whirl Stroke encountered the bandits while on patrol around the villages and an exchange of fire ensured.

He said the troops overwhelmed the bandits, neutralised two of them while some others escaped with gunshots wounds.

He explained that the troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally made rifle, six AK47 magazines, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and assorted hard drugs from the bandits.

He added that the operation was in continuation of reinvigorated efforts to stamp out banditry and other criminal activities in the country.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the country, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our nation he stressed.

Source: NAN News

5G

Operators bidding for frequencies in Swedens 5G networks have been banned from using equipment from Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei, a government agency said.

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said the four firms selected were Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sweden and Teracom, a partnership between Swedish telecommunications firm Tele 2 and Norways Telenor.

The first auction was set to open on Nov. 10.

The PTS said the firms had been selected in accordance with legislation that entered into force on Jan.1.

The Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service were consulted to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Swedens security.

ZTE and Huwawei have been brought into question in other parts of Europe as rival firms allege they have close links to Chinas military.

If existing infrastructure for central functions is to be used to provide services in the relevant frequency bands, products from Huawei and ZTE must be phased out latest by Jan. 1, 2025, the PTS said.

The PTS added that if central functions are dependant of staff or functions placed in foreign countries, this must be phased out by Jan. 1, 2025 and replaced with staff based in Sweden.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Vulture

By Vivian Emoni,

Underscoring the importance of vultures, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation observed the International Vulture Awareness Day recently, describing vultures as environmental sanitary officers with a clean-up service.

Dr. Joseph Onoja, the Director of Technical Programmes of the foundation, explains without vultures, humans are vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, because, in the absence of vultures, dogs and rats become the clean-up crew.

The danger in this is that these animals dogs and rats are not equipped for such and are close to human population, exposing humans to diseases.

Similarly, some cultures rate the importance of the vulture high, making vultures to take part in traditional funeral activities by placing bodies in high places for vultures to eat up.

Explaining the capacity of the vulture in this regard, zoologists observe that the vultures can quickly devour large amounts of flesh and the acids in them can neutralise pathogens to limit the spread of bacteria and diseases.

However, in some other communities, vultures face threats such as elimination, lead poisoning, persecution and habitat destruction, resulting in death of most of the birds.

Critics of the existence of vultures among humans insist that vultures have somewhat bad reputation; eating human bodies and rotting animals and pretty strange habits that vomit when feeling threatened and urinating indiscriminately.

In spite of this, Mr Joseph Effiong, an environment and development expert, says vultures recycle many important nutrients in the environment.

An ecosystem without vultures would be like a city without waste removal services; vultures do their work for the ecosystem very efficiently.

They consume the meat of dead animals very quickly, which reduces the risk of large colonies of insects gathering around the animal bodies.

Give them an inch and theyll take a mile! In doing so, vultures limit the risk of disease in ecosystems by keeping insect populations in check.

Not only is this beneficial to us as humans, but also to the agricultural industry, since vultures also help prevent livestock from getting sick, he said.

But Mr Suileman Muhammad from Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa, says vultures in extreme pressure from a range of human activities are the most threatened group of birds on earth.

In recent decades, drastic and wide spread vulture population declines, whereas vultures provide critically important ecosystem service by cleaning up carcasses and other organic waste in the environment.

We really cans vulture species are on the verge of complete disappearance. Historical and recent vulture population declines. Prior to the mid-20th century, decline in Cape vulture and others had already begun in Asia.

Although over this period, vultures were still abundant, significant difference in abundance, species and in population trends varied within regions and among continents.

In Africa, vulture population decline occurs mostly in East and West Africa; and in West Africa, population of vultures except the hooded vulture, has declined by an average of 95 per cent.

In protected areas within the Sudanese zone, vulture populations fell by nearly 42 per cent by poisoning from highly toxic pesticide in 2012.

Similarly, 144 white-backed vulture, an old world vulture and the most common large vulture in Africa vultures, were killed in Zimbabwe after feeding on elephant carcasses, he said.

Explaining further on the benefits of vultures, he notes that vulture can be used for treating of psychological diseases.

Ringim notes that absence of vultures may lead to pollution of water by dead animals; as dead animal attracts flies and disease carrying bugs.

According to him, free ecological service provided by vulture will no longer be there and absence of vultures causes loss of culture, value and heritage.

He expresses concern that the Nigeria Conservation Foundation teams surveyed no fewer than eight local government areas in Yobe, covering more than 1,436 kilometre in October 2018, without sighting a single vulture.

Similarly, in November 2018, two teams independently conducted a road transect survey of 2,783 kilometres in Jigawa, and 2,110 kilometres in Yobe without a single sight of vulture species.

Again, the teams also visited sites that should typically have vultures, including abattoirs, slaughter houses, slab and rubbish dumps.

In 2017, Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project, one of the most ambitious ever vulture conservation initiatives, was launched with support from the European Union Life programme in partnership with institutions and organisations from 14 countries, including Nigeria.

The essence of the project is to sensitise people to the importance of vulture and how to address drastic and increase vulture population, Ringim explains.

The lecturer, therefore, advises that people should discourage the killing and use of vulture body parts for medicine or other traditional rituals.

He calls on relevant stakeholders to strongly embark on campaigns about the critical roles and importance of vultures to ecosystem.

People should change from negative attitude and perceptions they have towards vultures, preserve them, observe their right to life and keep the environment for human healthy living.(NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News