Some elderly people in Nigeria

By Franca Ofili

Dewdrop Foundation (DDF), and Centre for Gender Economics Africa (CGE Africa), NGOs, have called on the Federal Government to establish a platform for key players to champion the cause of the ageing population.

Ms Nneka Egbuna, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Dewdrop Foundation, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday as the world celebrates International Day For Older Persons.

The theme is: Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing.

Egbuna said that the NGOs also called for the implementation of sensitisation campaigns and caregiver training on dementia as one of the causes of elder abuse by state healthcare systems.

Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.

According to her, it is very important for them to be included in all development plans.

Poor planning for the aged impacts all facets of the society such as labour and financial markets, education, housing, health and social care, social protection, transport, information, communication, family structures and inter-generational ties, she said.

She said that the NGOs were currently implementing an 18-month project funded by Oxfam/Voice, which focuses on curtailing elder abuse in 11 communities in Enugu State.

She said that the state was selected as a pilot state because of the rate of elderly abuse in there as well as the lack of legislation to protect them and improve their welfare.

The total selected project communities are 11, namely, Umuode, Akpuoga-Nike, AmechiIdodo, Isigwe Ugbawka, Ndiagu-Owo, Ogonogoeji Ndiuno Akpugo, Ogbeke/Ukuruta Agbani, Ojiagu Agbani, Ishienu Nkerefi, Akwuke and Akwuke-Uwani, Egbuna said.

She said that the project would create platforms for older persons to speak up about issues of concern to them.
Egbuna, however, noted that findings from baseline survey established that older persons experienced physical, emotional, neglect, sexual and financial abuse.

She noted that almost three in 10 older persons across 10 communities reported to have experienced some form of abuse and/or neglect.

Emotional abuse was the most common type of abuse observed, followed by neglect, then financial abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse.

Of those who were physically abused, many of them had broken bones.

According to her, the lives of more than 1000 elderly people in the state have been touched by the project and 11 safe spaces have also been established for them in their communities.

She said that 20 young people from the community had been selected to receive monthly training that enables them to actively advocate for and sensitise others about elder abuse and care of elderly persons among other things.

Egbuna said that consultations were currently ongoing to establish a community of practice comprising local and regional organisations and individuals promoting the welfare and wellbeing of older persons. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Civil Society Organisation (CSO) logo

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a Civil Society Organisation, says that credible elections are crucial to getting the right leaders that will move Nigeria toward maximising its potential.

Its spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Nkweke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja that promoting and sustaining such democratic tenets would move Nigeria forward as she marks her 60th anniversary.

Without peace, development will be hard to achieve, but peace will remain elusive until we can conduct credible elections that will throw up the right leaders, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would take its rightful place in the comity of nations if its electoral processes and institutions were strengthened.

Nweke called for a more robust system that would engage all stakeholders toward entrenching representative governance.

When this is done, it will deliver quality democracy that will benefit the citizens, but if this is not done, leadership will be defective.

The spokesperson urged Nigerians to forget the past and embrace peace, pointing out that no nation would ever enjoy prosperity in an atmosphere of confusion.

He urged leaders to set targets and work to attain them.

Nigeria should strive to achieve set goals so as to progress. We cannot be counting years without anything to show for it. Many countries are leaving us behind. Nigeria must wake up, Nkweke said.

IAWPA is an International Civil Society Organisation that monitors implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and report their findings to the UN.

It also monitors activities of state governments as part of efforts to hold leaders accountable in the actualisation of the SDGs. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former Minister of Sports Bala KaOje

By Emmanuel Afonne

A former Minister of Sports, Bala KaOje, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of sports development in the country after 60 years of independence, due to poor funding.

KaOje made his feelings known on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He regretted that Nigeria which prides itself as the giant of Africa was still in the habit of preparing for international competitions late, due to a lack of funds.

The Kebbi-born sports administrator noted that sports can only thrive in the country if adequate funding was provided to run the sector and athletes given necessary support and training to excel.

When I was in office, I came up with a number of programmes on sports development and one of the major areas I wanted to transform was the issue of talent hunt, which would have matured within 10 years.

If what I wanted to achieved had been done by now we would have had good funding for sports and functional sports development offices in the six geo-political zones.

The programme would have attracted young talented sports men and women as well as boys and girls, who would be trained from the zones while still pursuing their educational careers.

The plan was that from the zones they would come to Abuja where they would be continuously trained by the Federal Government and then, strive to become champions at national and international competitions but that did not happen.

KaOje said that the merging of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development was the worst thing that could happen to sports as it had hindered the Federal Government from providing necessary funding to the sports sector.

We are just paying lip-service to the issue of talent hunt, not even in football. Athletes and other sports are also not better off.

I want to say that most of us who are lovers of sports are not happy with the merging of sports with the Ministry of Youth. It appears to be setting Nigerias sports sector backwards.

This has been debated in the past right from the military era and we thought we were moving forward but under this administration we moved another step backwards by merging sports ministry with that of youths.

This is already hampering sports development in the country. If the Federal Government can go back to the National Sports Commission format we had in the past, we will move forward, KaOje added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NFF Secretariat inside MKO Abiola Stadium

By Emmanuel Afonne

Bala KaOje, a former Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), says telecommunication giant Globacom spent over N3 billion to sponsor the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the then Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

KaOje, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also said that the company also paid the salaries of then Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Berti Vogts between 2007 and 2008.

He noted that private organisations like Globacom were among organisations that carried the burden of sports when he was the minister in charge, and that such gestures were needed to turnaround the fortunes of sports in the country.

During my time, I was able to bring in the private sector and Globacom came in to sponsor the premier league and the Super Eagles.

Globacom doled out over N3 billion to us and it went a long way in developing our league as well as the Super Eagles; even the coach that was engaged that time was paid by Globacom.

That was the last time we heard of such benefit; there has not been a repeat of such.

I know it is not very easy to bring in the private sector unless its where they can get mileage. The private sector cannot participate where the mileage is not available,KaOje told NAN.

The former minister urged the Federal Government to establish a sports development fund as a solution to the funding problem of the sports sector.

This, he said, would bring back on track the countrys blueprint on sports development.

If there is anything like sports development fund, it will go very far in helping the country to achieve what it wants to achieve in sports, but unfortunately, we do not have that.

At certain time, we made a presentation that sports should be removed from the normal budgeting issue because sporting activities cannot wait for budgets.

We were expecting that there would be special funding kept by government for the sports sector to access as quickly as possible whenever there is need by the Sports Ministry, but that was not possible.

Sports is still going through the normal budgeting procedure, and I believe that with normal budget it is impossible for us to achieve much in sports. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The 60,000 cupcakes

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State on Thursday put Nigeria on the world record by celebrating the 60th Independence Anniversary with 60,000 cupcakes.

The state produced the largest anniversary logo in the world, made with cupcakes mosaic.

The initiative by the Lagos State Government in conjunction with Fly Africa, aimed to put Nigeria in the Guinness Book of World Record as holder of the worlds largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic in the world.

Speaking at the event held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted the state through the laying of the largest cupcakes mosaic, has sent a message to the world that Lagos remained a land of creativity and innovations.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of the State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, at the event monitored by officials of the Guinness World Records, said that the last largest cupcakes in the world was a 30,400 cupcakes made in Singapore in 2015.

I am sure that with this largest cupcakes mosaic today, we have sent a message to the world that Lagos State is a land of creativity and innovations.

It is my belief that Lagos State and indeed Nigeria would continue to strive and record greater achievements.

I call on everyone here today to join hands with our administration to build a Lagos that we will all be proud of, he said.

The governor commended all the founding fathers of Nigeria, independence icons and those who had worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria remained a united nation.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that the worlds largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic was very unique to Lagos being the trail-blazer in every lofty initiative.

Akinbile-Yussuf said that the government, through the event was putting itself before the international community, especially tourists, to see what the state could offer in terms of breaking new grounds and in creativity.

She said that the relevance of Lagos State in Nigeria could not be undermined as the state had been channeling its efforts into activities that had strengthened the nation economically, culturally and socially.

According to her, Lagos State has been serving as the melting pot for Nigerias tradition and culture.

The coming together of Fly Africa and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for this event which is one of its kinds in the history of this nation underscores Lagos rich attractions that have earned the nation a global voice and respect across the continent.

It is also commendable that we are equally using this event to eye World Guinness Record through the laying of the Largest Cupcake Mosaic in different colors, being the first ever in the world.

I appreciate the almost 150 volunteers who came together to make this Largest Cupcakes Mosaic possible, as well as the various partners for this event, she said.

Akinbile-Yusuf also said that the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture had used the period of the lockdown in the tourism and entertainment industry to rethink a workable direction for the post-COVID era.

She said that going forward, efforts would be channeled toward the development of the state local tourism sites and the promotion of local creativity.

Rather than enriching the economy of other countries through international tours, we want to change the narrative by making our state a more beautiful city to behold, where international tourists can visit and invest their resources, the commissioner said.

The Lead Aviator of Fly Africa, Mr Wole Olagundoye, said the record breaking event would inspire Nigerians and Africans to rise above the odds and strive for positive actions toward achieving great and transformational feats.

Olagundoye, who is also the Managing Director of Outori Ltd., said that only Africans could make Africa succeed.

Our own destiny is not in the hand of other nations but right in ours and we must seize this moment to make the necessary changes, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lewandowski shines

By Victor Okoye

Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski, has been named UEFA Mens Player of the Year for 2019/2020.

The Polish international, 32, beat off opposition from Manchester Citys midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bayern team-mate, Manuel Neuer.

The award was announced during the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Geneva, Switzerland.

The 2019/2020 season was one of the greatest in Bayerns 120-year history, and no player contributed more to it than Lewandowski.

The Poland striker scored in every game en route to the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon, picking up 15 goals and six assists as well as the trophy he had targeted for so long.

He also hit 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches and six in five German Cup games.

His achievements include: UEFA Champions League winner, Bundesliga winner, German Cup winner and UEFA Champions League top scorer.

Others are: UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, Bundesliga top scorer and Bundesliga Player of the Season. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PTF on COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

Nigerias Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has reached 59,001, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), announced 153 new infections in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 509, 555 sample have been tested by the agency since the pandemic hit Nigeria in February.

The health agency said that the total number of patients recovered from the virus infections and discharged after testing negative increased from 50,358 to 50,452.

It announced that the death toll from coronavirus in the country remained 1,112.

The data released by theNCDC, showed that Lagos led with 81 cases of the virus infections, while Rivers recorded 21 cases, and the FCT with 11.

Other states with new cases were: Ogun-8, Kaduna-7, Oyo-6, Akwa Ibom-5, Osun-3, Katsina-3, Edo-2, Ebonyi-2, Nasarawa-2, Plateau-1 and Kano-1.

The announcement also revealed that the country had 7,437 active cases across various isolation centres.

The public health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, have continuedto coordinate the national response activities across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rafa Nadal

It was business as usual as Rafa Nadal continued his quest for a record-extending 13th French Open title with a 6-1 6-0 6-3 crushing of American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday.

The win helped him to reach the third round.

The Spanish second seed, also looking to equal Roger Federers record of 20 mens singles Grand Slam titles, was never troubled on court Philippe Chatrier.

The claycourt master played deep, using his forehand to devastating effect to set up a meeting with Japanese Kei Nishikori or Italian Stefano Travaglia.

After world number 236 McDonald won the second game, Nadal bagged 11 games in a row to move two sets up.

In spite of some resistance from his opponent early in the third set, he had no trouble improving his win-loss record at Roland Garros to 95-2.

My objective is to play as well as I can. It was a good match for me today. Im very happy, Nadal said.

Then its another difficult match. Well see, I hope Ill be at a good level. Its always special for me to play here in Paris, on court Philippe Chatrier.

Nadal looks to be on a semi-final collision course with Dominic Thiem, who he beat in the last two finals in Paris.

After a first-round match played in chilly and damp conditions, the 34-year-old benefited from better weather on Wednesday.

Today was not that cold. So, thats the main thing. Not that cold, the conditions are not that bad, said the Spaniard, who had complained about the new balls used in Paris being too heavy.

The ball is still heavy. When (it) is not that cold, the ball is little bit less heavy always. I see the predictions the next couple of days are not very good.

That means Nadal may have to play under the closed roof on court Philippe Chatrier for the first time, but he looks in good form.

He fired 17 forehand winners against McDonald, faced zero break-points and made only eight unforced errors.

It was a performance that should boost his confidence after he lost in the Italian Open quarter-finals this month to Argentine Diego Schwartzman.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

ICPC Logo

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been rated high on ethics and compliance by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The NCoS spokesman, Mr Chuks Njoku, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement stated that the rating was released during the second national summit on diminishing corruption in the public sector, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

It stated that the service emerged fourth among 55 agencies of government in the ethics and compliance scorecard of the ICPC.

It said that the NCoS presently ranked 11th in the overall rating among 222 ministries, departments and agencies.

It was also rated among the first 10 MDAs in the same survey conducted in 2019.

The statement titled, NCoS rated excellent in ethics and compliance, quoted the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as describing the scorecard as a tool developed to address institutional vulnerabilities.

This in which are capable of engendering corrupt practices in public institutions, he said.

The statement noted that in arriving at the outcomes, ICPC concentrated on management culture and structure, financial management systems and administrative systems, as key indicators.

The Controller-General, NCoS, Mr Jaafaru Ahmed, wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and specifically, the ICPC, for this laudable initiative.

This initiative has encouraged MDAs to key into the anti-corruption stance of the present administration, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has warned that Nigerian Army would continue to ensure oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging divisive elements to desist.

Buratai, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the countrys journey so far at 60, said anybody that is thinking of dividing the country was wasting his or her time because of the existing variables among Nigerians.

He said that 60 years was important in the life of a nation, adding that the Nigerian army had played its part patriotically to keep the country one.

According to him, you must be a big joker to say that you will divide this country because this country has come to stay.

Apart from the political and cultural unity, the historical affiliation, the economic bonds that have existed within and among the different parts of the country, it will be very difficult.

We cannot afford a second civil war and everything will be done possible by the grace of God to ensure that we dont get this country divided no matter the challenge to keep this country one.

My advice is that anybody dreaming of having another country is wasting his time and we will surely address them if at all they rear their ugly head. We must be united and we must keep Nigeria one and we must progress as well, he added

Source: NAN News