By Mohammed Tijjani

The state Commandant of the corps, Babangida Dutsinma, made the disclosure during inspection visit to some of the agricultural investment sites on Saturday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sites visited included Golden Acres Limited, Federal Livestock Development Project, National Grains Reserve Silo, National Livestock Training Centre and Zonal Headquarters of National Livestock Project.

Dustinma said the visit was to assess the level of the protection given to the sites and their requirements for enhanced security.

He explained that the Corps had singned a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to train agro rangers at the
NSCDC training college in Katsina.

The target is to seethat agriculture allied investments both under federal and statesare properly manned and secured.

Security is everyones bussines, what is important is intelligence information.

If residents can provide us with useful information, we have personnel who are well trained and will curtail some security challenges particular at this time when raining reason has began.

NAN report that the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the Command, Assistant Commander Adepke Ogiri and other officers where part of the inspection visit.(NAN)

TJ/CHIN/MZA

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

No fewer than 68 members of two cult groups have renounced cult membership and surrendered weapons arms in Rivers.

The National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), CSP Ebere Amaraizu, made the disclosure in a statement in Enugu on Saturday.

Amaraizu said that the repentant cultists were members of Iceland and Degbam cult groups.

He said that they embraced peace by renouncing their membership and surrendering armsto become better citizens and contribute to nation-building.

He said that the renunciation was done at Ogbakiri in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

The POCACOV coordinator said that the event was witnessed by some heads of security agencies, divisional police officer of Rumuji, community members and other stakeholders.

Twenty-five members of Iceland cult group and 43 cult members of dreaded Degbam cult group denouncedtheir membership, surrendered their weapons and offered to become better citizens.

DSP Yusuf Abdullahi, Commander Anti-Cultism Unit, Elele Zone, and the POCACOV Coordinator in Rivers, representing POCACOV national coordinator, also witnessed the event and thanked the repentant cultists for taking the bold step.

It is good that youths willingly repent and offer to become better citizens to contribute to national development.

POCACOV will further re-orient and continually admonish them not to go back; but to remain steadfast in their new and more beneficial way of life, he said.

NAN reports that POCACOV is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, meant to prevent youths from joining cultism and offering olive branch to repentant ones with a view to making them better citizens.

Source: NAN News

Gov, Babagana Zulum

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has executed 326 capital projects across the state in the past one year, an official has said.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Jidda, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

Jidda said the administration also implemented 49 policies and programmes.

Some of the projects executed by the administration under Gov. Babagana Zulum are construction of 6,544 sub-urban and low-cost houses in 12 Local Government Areas of the state for resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

The 133 boreholes, 37 new primary healthcare centres in 17 Local governments, 30 new and rehabilitated roads, and the ongoing construction of the first flyover in Maiduguri, he said.

On security, Jidda said that 300 surveillance vehicles were procured and distributed to security agencies and volunteers in the state.

The SSG said that commissioners would conduct sectoral briefings with more details on the projects executed in their respective ministries from June 15.

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus

By Joy Mbachi

A Community leader in Anambra, Chief James Uyamadu, says most rural dwellers in Anambra have yet to come to terms with the reality of COVID-19 spread in the state.

Uyamadu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Igbakwu, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra.

NAN reports that Ayamelum is an agrarian clan in Anambra and predominantly rural.

The community leader said that the state Task Force committee on COVID-19 needed to step up its enforcement measures jointly with communities if the virus must be contained within the state.

This time should not be business as usual because we have got a challenge in our hands, which if we fail to face squarely may wipe out the people of the state.

There is need for government to keep a close eye on the activities of the COVID-19 task force team, so that they are made to be on their beats for greater results, he said.

Uyamadu said that a high level of ignorance of the reality of the deadly virus among rural dwellers existed adding that vigorous sensitisation needed to be given to them through various channels.

It is a feat that needs to be tackled fast before the wild spread of the virus gets into the communities of the state and wipe out the residents.

The churches, kindred meetings, age grade meetings, among other channels are required to be engaged well for a high positive result to be achieved, he said.

Uyamadu said that ignorance of the existence of the virus among the people especially the rulers dwellers would remain a major factor responsible for community transmission if not checked.

As a catechist in Saint Marys Catholic Church, Igbakwu, I have had various encounters with people and with my interactions with them, majority of the rural dwellers believe that Coronavirus does not exist.

Across the state, common belief of the people is that the issue of the Coronavirus does not exist.

To them, it is a scam and a platform for siphoning the nations wealth by the government, he said.

Government should help matters and operate in a very open manner as well as create awareness against stigmatisation and explain how the virus moves.

This is important so that people who contract it will not be seen as evil persons, he said.

He said that the traditional ruler of the community, in his efforts to support government on the fight against the virus, had continued to use local town criers to inform the people about their parts in the fight.

Uyamadu urged religious leaders to dwell more on informing the people about the existence of the virus in the state and the need for them to observe the precautionary measures to avoid the spread in the communities.

The relaxed measures do not imply non existence of the virus. This must be drummed into the ears of the people in the manner they would understand, he said.

Uyamadu also said that the community leaders should educate the people on the COVID-19 law and advise them to strictly observe the rules and regulations put in place by the governments.

He said observation of social distancing, hand washing with soap and running water, use of sanitisers, as well as the use of face masks should be well talked about.

He urged religious leaders to keep a service at a time which should last for only one hour while burial rites performers should keep to the 30 persons per gathering rule.

Uyamadu said that more stringent measures needed to be applied for huge success to be achieved in the fight against COVID-19. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Blood Bag

By Cecilia Ologunagba

A Consultant Haematologist at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Uche Nwokwu says Nigeria is yet to meet up to 10 per cent of its blood need in the country.

Nwokwu made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD)

WBDD is celebrated every June 14, to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

We are still far from what is needed but unfortunately, in a country of over 200 million and we are not yet met up to 10 per cent of our blood need as a country.

So many people die because of blood loses, in our country where they are security challenges, where they are killings and trauma, crises in various communities, road traffic accidents, various diseases condition and people are going for various surgeries.

The blood need of the country is quite huge and we are very far from meeting that need, so Nigerians are encouraged to willing go to any blood donation centres around.

Federal Government has established the National blood Transfusion Service, and that has zonal offices across the country.

They can voluntary go to those centres and donate, and when they are donor drive activities in their neighbourhood, they are encouraged to donate as they donate, life is saved.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) stipulates that at least one per cent of the population must be able or willing to donate blood.

Nigeria needs between two to four million units of blood annually with the population of 200 million going by the indicators that the WHO had provided to be able to meet the transfusion requirement of Nigerians.

Nwokwu said there is still blood supply deficiency in the country despite the efforts of the Federal Government and Civil Society Organisations on awareness creation.

He attributed the blood supply deficiency to some myths surrounding blood donation.

I mean, the awareness and response is still far from expected because of the myth surrounding blood donation so there is still phobia for donating blood.

They are afraid of the consequences of fainting, of losing blood themselves and that has affected blood donation.

They are also traditional belief on blood that has affected the response of Nigerians to donate blood.

The consultant, urged Nigerians to dismiss the myths surrounding blood donation and donate blood regularly.

They are benefits of donating blood; Apart from the moral satisfaction of saving lives, if you donate blood within two weeks, your system has a way of replacing the blood you have donated.

It essentially makes one healthier if you donate and it is advisable to donate blood quarterly, once in three or four months is allowed. It makes the person healthier.

Personally, I donate twice every year -January and July. I have been doing that and I have not had cause to need blood myself and have not to fall sick. In fact, I can remember the last time I took drug for malaria.

I do it as sacrifice and God has been using it to strengthen me.

Source: NAN News

Archbisop Adewale Martins

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, has called on NGOs to take up the challenge of partnering with youths in Nigeria to restore whatever that was lost in the environment.

Martins made the call in a statement issued by Mr Oladapo Soneye, Head, Communications, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in Abuja.

The Bishop spoke at a programme in commemorating the 2020 World Environment Day and the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si.

Laudato Si is the second encyclical of Pope Francis that called on people of the world to take swift and unified global action against consumerism and irresponsible development, environmental degradation and global warming.

Martins also the Grand Patron, Network of Young Catholic Carers for the Environment in Nigeria (NYCCEN), said more than ever before, youths should be engaged to achieve conservation of the environment.

According to him, it will be more encouraging when we see more organisations taking up the challenge to work with youths to restore what we have lost in the environment just like what NYCCEN and NCF are doing.

He expressed his appreciation in the collaboration between NYCCEN and NCF in mobilising the teeming youths to care for the environment, now on the verge of collapse.

Also, the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, said that faith-based organisations have unparalleled reach and mobilisation power, because of the large numbers of their devotees in every corner of Nigeria.

Ikeazor said she believed that faith-based organisations have enormous potential to influence national and global policy and tip the scales positively on the global movement needed to address environmental challenges.

She added that young people were socially conscious active agents of change, responsible idealists and well versed in technology to combat environmental crises facing the country.

The Federal Ministry of Environment is working, and will continue to work with youths in our efforts to restore, protect and conserve Mother Nature.

Most of our ecological interventions are community-based, the minister said.

Also, Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams, NYCCEN Initiator, expressed displeasure at the rate human activities continued to pose great threat to the environment.

Fatayi-Williams said that this was making the earth one huge dump site, which has become an existential threat for all.

This is a time to be sorry for our cruelty to creation for our plundering and overexploitation of its riches, consumption habits and lifestyle that had led to the loss of biodiversity, pollution, climate change, disease and poverty, she said.

Fatayi-Williams applauded the Popes Laudato Si initiative, which had spurred interest and participation from youths, especially the plastic recycling to bricks.

She said that it would help put money in the hands of the poor and unemployed youths.

Commenting, Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, NCF Director-General, revealed how the foundation engaged Nigerian youths in 2019 to combat climate change.

, in his presentation titled All Hands on Deck: Building an Inter-faith Youth Movement for the Environment in Nigeria.

Aminu-Kano said in 2019, the foundation embarked on a nationwide youths advocacy on climate action which involved over one thousand youths to call for urgent action from the governments, businesses and individuals.

He said that youths comprising secondary school pupils, tertiary institution students, religious groups and civil society organisations (CSOs) were constantly being engaged in environmental education, waste management, beach clean-up exercise, recycling and tree planting.

NCF is developing Youth Action Manual on Climate Change for youths from ages five to 25 years to guide their efforts, Aminu-Kano said.

Commenting, Prof. Rosemary Egonmwan, Head, Conservation Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), said that robust biodiversity and healthy ecosystems were essential in any country for sustainable development and human wellbeing.

It is, therefore, very important to conserve biodiversity and use its components in a sustainable manner in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Apart from serving as a source of inspiration, information, tourism and recreation, Nigerias biodiversity also satisfies scientific and educational pursuits, she said.

Also, Revd. (Fr.) Joshtrom Kureethadam, Coordinator, Ecology and Creation, Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development, shared a seven-year action plan of Laudato Si Initiative.

Kureethadam said the essence was to make communities around the world to be totally sustainable in the spirit of the integral ecology of Laudato Si.

The coordinator said that actions would commence from families and run through primary and secondary schools, universities, Catholic Churches, hospitals, businesses, farms and religious groups.

NYCCEN was established by catholic youths who are passionate about the environment.

They engaged other young Catholics in using available means and platforms to campaign for restoration of harmony between man and earth. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government has pledged to scale up its annual blood collection rate and sustain ongoing efforts to expand the reach of its services through the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) across the country.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire made the pledge at a news conference to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on Sunday in Abuja.

WBDD is celebrated every June 14, to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

According to the minister,in 2019, about 24,483 units of blood were collected and screened from volunteer blood donors through the 17 centres of NBTS network.

19,676 units of blood were issued to various hospitals nationwide for transfusion purposes.

The National Blood Transfusion service wishes to increase its scope of work, by scaling up its annual blood collection rate and sustaining ongoing efforts to expand the reach of its services.

I am pleased to announce that the legislative process of the Bill for the establishment of a National Blood Service Commission is at an advanced stage and awaiting public hearing at the National Assembly.

My Ministry is currently considering proposals for a major investment, from public and private sectors, to upgrade the capacity of the National Blood Transfusion Service to enable it achieve its potential.

To achieve its potential to produce blood components and plasma derived medicinal products at a commercial scale, that meets international best standards and to enter the world market.

This will ensure optimal utilisation of each unit of whole blood collected, the minister said.

According to him, our population of over 200 million, Nigerias estimated blood need is about two million units per year.

Unfortunately, much less than that is currently collected, leaving unmet needs that lead to avoidable deaths, morbidities and ill-health. You can help change this.

In line with its mandate, Nigerias NBTS strives to provide adequate supplies of safe blood, screened with modern fully-automated enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) technology.

Ehanire said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply of safe blood was at risk, because regular blood donation drives have had to be postponed or deferred.

He said regulations for self-isolation, lockdown and fear of infection had hindered the usual blood donors from accessing blood donation centres.

Transport and trade restrictions have also led to disruptions of global supply chains, putting countries at risk of shortages of critical supplies and equipment used for blood donation, processing, testing and transfusion, to patients in need of blood.

According to him, the need for blood is universal because safe blood is a critical and indispensable healthcare requirement nowadays, both for treatment and urgent interventions.

It plays an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care, especially bleeding after delivery, in severe anaemia, sickle cell disease, accidents and emergency situations after natural or industrial disasters.

Blood transfusion is also key at most complex surgical operations.

The minister, however, said access to safe blood was still the privilege of not many people in the world.

Most low-and middle-income countries struggle to make safe blood available to their citizens, because the quantity of blood donation is insufficient and the standardised equipment for testing blood is expensive and scarce.

Globally, 42 per cent of blood collection and use is in high income countries, which constitute just 16 per cent of global population.

Blood donation is therefore needed all over the world to assure individuals and communities of access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products whenever the need arises, the minister said.

In addition, Ehanire called on people of goodwill to become life-savers by volunteering to join the people who regularly donate blood to make safe blood available to everyone in need of it.

Your involvement and support will help to ensure greater impact for World Blood Donor Day, increase the worldwide realisation that giving blood is an act of solidarity and service to mankind.

Your support is an act of service to mankind and that services providing safe blood and blood products are an essential element of respectable health care systems, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2020 World Blood Donor Day campaign is Safe Blood Saves Lives and the slogan Give blood and make the world a healthier place. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

SEC Acting D-G

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Sunday denied news making round that Ms Mary Uduk, its Acting Director-General has resigned from the commission.

Mrs Efe Ebelo, Head, Corporate Communication, Securities and Exchange Commission, stated this in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Ebelo described the purported resignation of Uduk from the commission and a send forth party slated for June 15, as false.

Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the media on June 14, 2020, wherein the Acting Director General, Ms Mary Uduk is purported to have resigned from the Commission and a send forth party slated for Monday June 15.

The Commission therefore wishes to inform the general public that the Acting Director General of the SEC has not resigned her appointment with the Commission, neither has she handed over to anyone.

Uduk like every other staff of the Commission is awaiting the arrival of the new DG, Mr Lamido Yuguda who was cleared by the senate last week, Ebelo said.

She noted that no send forth party was being planned for Uduk as reported by the national paper.

Stakeholders in the capital market and the general public are therefore advised to disregard the contents of the aforementioned publication as they are false, Ebelo added.

NAN reports that Senate on June 10, confirmed the nomination of Yuguda as the new Director General of SEC.

Also confirmed alongside Yuguda were three Executive Commissioners nominees namely; Mr Reginald Karawusa, Mr Ibrahim Boyi and Mr Temidayo Obisan.

Their confirmation followed the submission of the report of the Committee on Capital Markets which was presented before the Senate by the Chairman, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Their confirmation was announced by Senate President, Mr Ahmad Lawal after an affirmation by the Committee of the whole House in Abuja. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar (Rtd)

By Rita Iliya
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has felicitated with former military Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar on his 78th birthday.

Bello in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Mary Berje, in Minna on Sunday, described the former military leader as full of drive, passionate and commitment to the corporate existence of the country as an entity.

He also described Abdulsalami as a courageous, generous, compassionate, and a selfless leader who kept aside his personal ambition to midwife the nation return to democratic governance which earned him the titled a father of democracy.

He noted that Abudlsalamis role had remained consistent in the growth and development of Niger state in particular and the country as a whole.

The governor commended his continued advice to the state, noting that such has been unparalleled and highly appreciated.

Bello thanked the Almighty God for a life of great fulfillment and accomplishment and prayed God to bless his new age and grant him many more years in good health and wisdom.

Our Dear General, as you mark your 78th birthday, we join millions of Nigerians to celebrate with you on this important day of your life.

At 78, you have touched the lives of many people in many positive ways and contributed immensely to the development of this great nation in many spheres of our national life.

Your various contributions to the unity of this country both in war and peace times, especially the Peace forum project initiated by your centre, has gone a long way in setting standards for democracy in Nigeria.

We believe you still have a lot to offer Nigerians and this is why we join members of your family, friends and numerous admirers to wish you many more years of good health, wisdom and selfless service to God and humanity, he said.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government has asked 56 property owners sealed in Ikoyi and on Banana Island axis to produce their building plan permits and evidence of stage certification.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, said this in a statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, the spokesman of the ministry on Sunday.

Salako, had during an ongoing Special Enforcement Operations , said that the government was alarmed at the rate of unapproved and illegal structures springing up in Ikoyi and on Banana Island of the state.

The exercise continues to send strong signals of governments determination to guard the State Operative Development Plans.

Also, it is meant to curb illegal physical developments as the buildings/building construction sites sealed since the beginning of the Special Enforcement Operation midweek have reached 56 in number.

On Saturday alone, 22 were sealed for building permit and conformity issues. Of this total, 16 were sealed on Banana Island whilst six were sealed at Adeyemi Lawson, Mcpherson and surrounding streets in Ikoyi, he said.

Salako urged the affected property owners to report to his office at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja to perfect their documents.

He also advised property owners and developers to always obtan valid documents from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) before they start construction.

The rate at which developers in these elite areas flout our planning laws by going ahead to erect buildings without the necessary permits is disturbing.

This untoward act that is inimical to the sustainable development of our environment must be curtailed in the interest of all, he said.

Salako said that property owners in Ikoyi and Banana Island must produce on demand, their planning permits and evidence of stage certification or risk their property being sealed.

He said that the measures were in compliance with the states policy of Zero Tolerance for Illegal Developments adding that, the exercise would be extended to other parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Special Enforcement Operation is a joint operation aimed at sanitising the built environment in Lagos.

It is being handled by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Special Operations Team from the Governors Office. (NAN)

Source: NAN News