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

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has destroyed Boko Harams logistics base and killed scores of terrorists in an air raid in Borno.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Saturday, said the successful air interdiction mission was executed on June 25 at Tongule and Bukar Meram.

Enenche disclosed that the air raid was launched under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach after series of surveillance missions indicated a resurgence of terrorists activities at the two settlements.

He said that credible intelligence indicated frequent convergence of terrorists at Tongule where about 35 terrorists were spotted by the NAF surveillance aircraft in different parts of the settlement.

According to him, the aircraft vectored the fighter jets to attack the target area.

The munitions from the jets hit designated areas within the settlement, destroying some structures and taking out many of the terrorists.

Similarly, at Bukar Meram, a Boko Haram logistics hub on the fringes of the Lake Chad, the air strikes were executed in multiple waves resulting in the obliteration of designated portions of the terrorists facilities.

Several of their fighters were also killed in the process.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commends the ATF for their dedication and professionalism.

The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country, he said.

Source: NAN News

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai visits Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on Saturday

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to rid the country of insurgency, banditry and other sundry insecurity challenges.

Buratai gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Saturday, as part of his operational visit to the 3 Brigade, Kano.

He said his visit to the palace was to pay homage to the royal father and seek his support and prayer in the ongoing operations of the Nigerian Army across the country.

Buratai reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to maintain the peace, unity and oneness of Nigeria.

He noted that the army would not rest on its oars until all forms of insecurity such as terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity are stamped out.

The COAS also disclosed that his visit to Kano State was to inaugurate infrastructure development projects executed in the 3 Brigade, designed to enhance the living condition of officers and soldiers.

He added that we used the opportunity to come and pay you a visit to solicit your support in ensuring the security of the nation.

Buratai said: We have done our best across the Northeast and another one is already on in the Northwest.

We are determined and we will continue to ensure that our country remains secured in line with President Muhammadu Buharis directives to ensure that we contain insecurity in the country especially now in the Northwest

We solicit your support and your continuous prayer.

I want to assure you and all Nigerians that we will not rest on oars until we bring to an end the myriad of security challenges across the country, he said.

Responding, Bayero, who spoke in Hausa Language, commended Buratai and the Nigerian Army for their commitment to peace and security in Kano State and the country.

Bayero commended the army for its operation at the Falgore Forest, adding that Kano was one of the most secured states in Nigeria.

He urged the Nigerian Army to sustain the tempo to ensure sustainable peace in the state.

The monarch also offered prayer for Buratai, the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for Gods guidance and protection.

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Transactions rebounded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday with the market capitalisation increasing by N107 billion, after days of bearish trend.

The market capitalisation closed at N12.952 trillion, compared with N12.845 trillion achieved on Thursday, a growth of0.83 per cent.

Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 24,625.24 rose by 203.78 points or 0.83 per cent to close at 24,829.02.

Airtel Africa led the gainers table in percentage terms, gaining N29.80 to close at N328.70 per share.

Nestle followed with a gain of N21 to close at N1,200, while UACN gained 45k to close at N7.45 per share.

Ecobank Transnational added 45k to close at N5.25, Nigerian Breweries gained 30k to close at N35 per share.

On the other hand, Dangote Cement topped the losers chart in percentage terms, shedding N2 to close at N128 per share.

Fidson trailed with a loss of 52k to close at N2.98, while PZ declined by 20k to close at N3.85 per share.

Flour Mills was also down by 20k to close at N3.85, while Oando dipped 10k to close at N2.40 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active stock during the day, exchanging 38.314 million shares valued at N870.507 million, whileAIICO followed with exchange of 13.52 million shares worth N13.50 million.

FBN Holdings traded 6.71 million shares valued at N34.92 million, while FCMB Group sold 6.71 million shares worth N12.32 million.

Mutual Benefits Assurance transacted 5.27 million shares valued at N1.17 million.

In all, investors traded 127.20 million shares worth N2.15 billion exchanged in 2,844 deals.

This was against a turnover of 130.28 million shares valued at N1.62 billion achieved in 3, 413 deals on Thursday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ECOWAS

By Lizzy Okoji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has called for urgent action to address sexual gender based violence and to protect the rights of women and girls.

The ECOWAS commission made the call in a statement issued by its Directorate of Communications on Friday in Abuja.

The commission condemned unequivocally the rise in cases of sexual gender based violence, especially against children.

According to the commission, theres almost daily news report of rape of children including toddlers, who are violated and, in many cases raped to death. This is very disturbing and utterly unacceptable.

This growing trend goes against international and regional legal texts including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the ECOWAS Child Policy (2019-2030).

It also goes against fundamental African norms and value system that places the accountability for the development and well-being of every child as the primary responsibility of every family and community.

For its part, the ECOWAS Commission and the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) on the 20th April, 2020 issued a Joint Advisory to all ECOWAS Member States as a Call for Action.

And guidance to mainstream child protection in government responses to COVID-19 pandemic and recovery Plans, it stated.

The ECOWAS Commission also noted that in line with the Joint Advisor, it recommended that member states should take immediate action to ensure the continued functioning of the child-friendly reporting mechanisms.

It stated that the reporting mechanisms should include child helpline and hotlines to enable child-friendly reporting, counseling, and response.

ECOWAS also urged traditional, religious and opinion leaders at the national and community levels to mobilise their people against all forms of Sexual Gender-Based Violence.

It said that as an immediate step, the commission would convene a virtual meeting of the relevant National Institutions in the Member States, International partners, and non-state actors.

It stated that the meeting would create a platform to agree on a joint regional action plan against Gender-Based Violence with a special focus on child sexual abuse.

The Commission explained that this was to galvanise immediate action across the ECOWAS region towards stamping out this dangerous trend and ensuring that every child is protected now and beyond the COVID -19 pandemic.

The ECOWAS Commission further reiterated its commitment to continue to secure the rights and the well-being of all ECOWAS citizens, with particular attention to the rights of children.

It stated that the commitments are in respect to all local, national and international actors including, civil society and the private sector support member states with the technical and financial resources.

The commission noted that this support would help stem the tide of increased violations of the rights of women and children in the West Africa region. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Drugs

By Hussaina Yakubu

The Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA) has identified measures for curbing the high prevalence of drug abuse in the country.

Dr Joseph Maigari,Director-General, KADBUSA made the disclosure to journalists at an event to mark this years International Day Against Drugs and Substance Abuse in Kaduna on Friday.

The theme of this years International Day Against Drugs and Substance Abuse was Better Knowledge for Better Care.

He said criminal justice and security establishments should prosecute suppliers of illicit drugs while medical care and social services should address the demand side of the problem.

KADBUSA hasintensified information, education and communication as key to enlighten Kaduna residents on the dangers of drug abuse.

We have done this through radio programmes and jingles as well as billboards installation in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan, with relevant messages.

The agency has also been doingfor community engagement and paying advocacy visits to communities and creating awareness on dangers of drug abuse through traditional and new media.

We are also constructing four drug rehabilitation centres in Kaduna State, he said.

The director-general said that the bureau was established by the government to provide solutions to the social, security and health challenges associated with drug abuse.

Maigari said that KADBUSA and NDLEA had operated under a Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse led by the governors wife to reduce the demand and supply of hard drugs in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations has set aside June 26 every year to commemorate the International Day Against Drugs and Substance Abuse. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

African Union

By Fortune Abang
The African Union (AU) Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has underscored the need for African leaders to use dialogue to achieve Silence the Guns goal in Africa.

ECOSOCC is an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organisations a voice within AU institutions and decision-making processes.

DrTunji Asaolu, 1st Nigerian Representative of the 3rd Permanent General Assembly of AU-ECOSOCC, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

NAN reports that Silencingthe Guns in Africa by 2020 is an AU campaign aimed at promoting prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa.

Asaolusaid that an effective engagement would be a proper mechanism to use in resolving the challenges surrounding the inability of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to reach a compromise after nine years on issues that surround the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

According to him, Ethiopia announced they want to fill up the Dam near the blue Nile of Egypt, saying it is a project that the country needed to solve its electricity problem.

Asaolu said: I think their issue still boils down to negotiation; the River Nile in Cairo, Egypt serves a lot of purpose, it is the one supplying to Sudan and Egypt.

What Egypt is saying is, if Ethiopia is filling its Dam and serving for that electricity project, it will pose risks, not only for Egypt, but others.

Egypt depends on that water and that is what they are using for drinking, agriculture and so many things, so the solution still boils down to effective negotiation.

Egypt had also called on the United Nations Peace and Security Council to also look into it, they may be right, but it is something that can also be solved within the level of AU.

The three countries must dialogue and negotiate to silence the guns completely; African leaders must prioritise dialogue and negotiations to avoid further trigger of another gun.

He noted that although Africa leaders yearn to achieve development, but failure to engage dialogue to resolve issues could pull down effort to achieve the continental goal.

In the same vein, he stressed the need for mutual relationship among member states in the continent, as way forward to liberate the continent.

We should see ourselves as one, you cannot be building and the same time scattering, we are seeing Agenda 2063 which is talking about Africa we want.

We must build an Africa where citizen have rights of occupancy and not people attacking each other. Therefore the need for African leaders to work closely together, to realise agenda-2063, he added.

NAN reports that Agenda 2063 is Africas blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into the global powerhouse of the future.

Source: NAN News

The evacuees checking in before their departure from the Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, on Saturday evening

The Nigerian High Commission in London, the United Kingdom on Friday set July 13 for the next phase of the evacuation of stranded Nigerians back home.

The commission, which announced the date in a notification issued on Friday, also issued guidelines for travel and ticket fares for the evacuation.

The notice, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja stated that arrangement was being made with the Air Peace Airlines for flights to Abuja and Lagos on July 13.

It also that arrangement for the June 28 scheduled flight had already been concluded and that those who could not make it with the flight should start processing for July 13.

It asked prospective evacuees to undergo a self-funded COVID-19 PCR test immediately in line with the Presidential Task Force new guidelines.

The commission has also issued ticket fares and payment directives for the intending passengers.

In the light of the foregoing, please find here under the ticket fares:Business Class of 46 seats: ,400 (N644,000) per passenger, Economy Class of 269 seats: (N322,000) per passenger.

Child fare is same as adult fare and infant (Under 2yrs) 10 per cent of adult fare.

All prospective evacuees, who could not be on the flight scheduled for June 28 June, now have the opportunity to make payment for their interested ticket class, the notice read.

The commission urged intending evacuees to make payments on or before July 7 to any of the under-listed accounts of the airline:

Bank Name: Fidelity Bank

Account Name: Air Peace (Nigeria UK Charter)

Account Number: 5030113091.

Dollar Account: Bank Name: Fidelity Bank

Account Name: Air Peace Limited Charter

Account Number: 5250171446

Correspondent Bank: Citibank, NA, 111

Wall Street, New York 10043

Aba Code: 021000089

Swift Code: CITIUS33

Beneficiary Bank: Fidelity Bank Plc

Dollar Account Number: 3611 5264

Swift Code: FIDTNGLA

The commission stated that intending travellers should thereafter forward payment confirmation, passport data page and destination ofchoice to the, WhatsApp Number 2347042961448

It stated that payment in Naira is also acceptable at the going market rate of N460/USD.

Ifpayment is made by proxy, full names of the passenger and the payee must be reflectedand forwarded to the WhatsApp number and email addresses above.

Baggage allowance of two luggage of 23kg each plus seven kg hand luggage for economy class, two luggage of 32kg each plus 10kg hand luggage for business class is allowed.

These costs and tickets issued will be valid only for this special flight.

Prospective evacuees are to note that the issuance of tickets shall be on a first come firstserved basis, the commission stated.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government says it will commence immunisation against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for cervical cancer in 2021.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), made this known at a Virtual National Stakeholders Forum on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer on Friday.

The virtual meeting was organised by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health International Vaccine Access Centre and Direct Consulting and Logistics.

Shuaib said the immunisation would be on a national scale by first quarter of 2021 to eliminate cervical cancer.

According to him, what should concern stakeholders is how to eliminate barriers to availability of HPV vaccine that has been around for over 10 years.

He said we have to crush the barriers that prevent us from accessing this vaccine, such as HPV when it is available anywhere in the world.

Africa should not always wait for decades to get solution that is available globally, not just in Africa but in Nigeria specifically.

We at the NPHCDA are committed; we are committed to deliver HPV vaccine to our communities, he said.

The executive director added that the agency was determined to the final stretch of getting vaccine to the people, and that nothing could stop from achieving that.

It took a long time for us to get here, we are going to finish and cross the line like we did for polio eradication last week.

The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the NPHCDA, is in the forefront of driving local vaccine production through our joint venture agreement with May and Baker.

It is one of the interventions that FMoH is putting in place to make sure that we dont need to wait for decades to prevent such terrible disease, he said.

Shuaib said the agency had improved routine immunisation in the past two years, doubling coverage from 32 per cent in 2016 to 67 per cent in 2019.

You can be sure that once we introduce HPV vaccine in the first quarter 2021, we will ramp up coverage in the first approach.

It is not just vaccine that matters, we are introducing as part of our post COVID-19 strategy, we are ramping up our pre-cancer screening in primary health care centres.

We are building the capacity of primary health workers so that they will be able to carry out simple screening and breast examination for breast cancer.

But also on annual basis, we are trying to build the capacity of health workers so that they can do simple examinations of the cervix if there is any indication that they are abnormal.

The workers will then be able to encourage women to do Pap Smear test on annual basis.

The executive director said NPHCDA was passionate about so many things, noting that introducing vaccine against cervical cancer and other cancers is a priority for us.

It is priority and ensuring screening for cervical cancer is a model we are introducing as re-emerging in the Post COVID-19 era.

He commended Dr Zainab Bagudu, the founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation for her advocacy work on cancer.

Bagudu, the First Lady of Kebbi, in her remarks said the world was moving toward elimination of cancer and that Nigeria should not be left behind.

She said that for us in Kebbi, we may not have high technology, but we have the awareness and the human resources at Primary Health Care centres.

We are waiting for the vaccine to commence and support our work in that area, and we will be pleased to partner with all to achieve our goals.

Dr Chizoba Wonodi of the John Hopkins International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), said the objectives of the meeting was to share latest updates on the global push toward the elimination of cancer and promote increased understanding of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders at all levels.

The meeting was also to review progress on the challenges to achieving the objectives set out in the National Strategic Plan and to proffer solutions to address the challenges in implementing the plan, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum is planned to hold in two phases; the virtual phase and later an in-person phase after the COVID-19 lockdown is fully lifted.

Cervical cancer is a deadly disease that affects over 14,000 women and 8,000 deaths due to late presentation at health facilities annually, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in women aged 15 to 44 years in Nigeria.

The main cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Evidence showed that HPV could be eliminated using three interventions: HPV vaccination, screening for pre-cancerous lesions and, treatment of invasive cancer.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Mrs Seni Ilesanmi, Managing Director, Biomid Travel Centre (BTC) Ltd., has advised travel consultants to continue to look inwards and evolve strategies that would assist their businesses to become more efficient and sustainable.

Ilesanmi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

She noted that the outlook for the travel industry remained bleak due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ilesanmi, however, maintained that every peculiar situation had its associated opportunities.

The travel expert added that opportunities could be created in travel and tour packages that would accelerate visitation of iconic places around the country by Nigerians.

A lot of Nigerians have not been to iconic tourist attractions such as the Lagos Jara Beach House, Lacampagne Beach Resort, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Olumirin Waterfalls, Idanre Hills and Kajuru Castle to mention a few.

I advise operators to commence assessment of various domestic tourism opportunities when the government lifts ban on domestic air travels, she said.

Ilesanmi said it was probable thatthe countrys security concerns might deter tourists from domestic travels.

I would say yes and no; tourists like to explore and thats where it all starts.

BTC has partnered with relevant agencies that will provide security apparatus when we take our customers on tours.

Our plan, however, is to develop packages and commence trips solely to the attraction centres in places relatively peaceful over the next six to 10 months, she said.

On recovery of the travel industry, Ilesanmi expressed optimism that the industry would begin to witness mild recovery by Q1, 2021, adding that the prediction was based on the assumption that vaccines would be available then.

We have received enquiries from some of our clients, asking us for information on destinations they can visit post COVID-19 recovery.

We typically advise our clients on various options like visiting countries that are reasonably safe with lots of beaches and outdoor parks that limit their contact with persons or other tourists, as well as serve as platforms to observe social distancing measures, she said.

On whether it would be safe to fly post COVID-19, Ilesanmi said that airlines were doing a good job in ensuring planes were clean, conducting temperature checks and instituting various safety precautions on ground and airborne.

Most airlines are commencing intense cleaning with disinfectants after every flight so that customers can continue to remain safe.

Some airlines have banned in-flight alcohol in response to COVID-19.

Its part of the widespread revision of industry food and drink services to minimise interactions between crew and passengers to ensure a safe journey for all, Ilesanmi said.

The travel advisor, however, advised travellers to research state and local government policies in places where they might stay overnight, or speak to their travel advisors before making plans on places they intend to visit.

Hotels will be safer since governments have made it mandatory that they procure certifications as precautionary measures for COVID-19.

I also think travelling with necessary medications like immune boosters is imperative, as well as procurement of travel insurance with good coverage policy, she said.

Ilesanmi advised travellers to continue to use hand sanitisers, observe physical distancing and wearing of face masks in places such as elevators and lobbies to help reduce their risk of contracting the virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ezirim said the banks

According to him,other added features include frequent transaction; dashboard flexibility and personalisation; smoother transaction experience and improved beneficiary management.

He said th

Source: NAN News