By Ruth Oketunde

The UK group, IA-Foundation says the Nigerian government should enact a law to punish parents and guardians, using their children to engage in economic ventures during school hours.

The Chief Executive Officer of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, gave the advice in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Adeagbo was speaking against the backdrop of a report released recently by UNESCO, which put the number of out-of-school children in the West African country at 20.2 million.

The report, released on Aug. 18, alarmed Nigerians, who have been expressing their disgust on the development as well as the continued closure of public universities in the country.

Public universities in the country have been shut for more than 200 days, due to a face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the federal government.

The Nigerian government needs to enact a law to punish parents and guardians using their children and wards for economic ends, rather than sending them to school, said Adeagbo, who has sustained a campaign to tackle Nigerias out-of-school crisis.

British-born Adeagbo said that Nigeria was having about eight per cent of the estimated 244 million out-of-school children in the world.

She suggested that the issue of out-of-school children should be made a standing agenda in the weekly federal executive council meeting of the federal government.

Nigeria should demonstrate the political will to tackle the out-of-school crisis because the problem is indeed, a time bomb.

She said that 17 states in the country were having high numbers of out-of-school children with 14 of the states in Nigerias north.

Adeagbo pointed out, however, that governments intervention might do little to resolve the problem, unless the pervading insecurity in the country was tackled decisively.

She expressed her regrets that people in tertiary institutions in the country were also dropping out of school because of endless strikes by university teachers.

The education rights campaigner advised Nigeria to invest in information technology to bring education closer to the masses, especially in rural communities.

Education is under siege in Nigeria and government must do the needful to save he future of Africas most populous nation, said Adeagbo.

She re-stated her advice to the federal government to seek foreign assistance to address challenges in the country, especially in tackling insecurity and the education sector.

Education in Nigeria, which is Africas top crude oil exporter and one of the largest economies in the continent has been in turmoil in recent years.

The development has made millions of kids to stay out of school with university students in public institutions also forced out of classrooms, due to persistent strikes by teachers.

But the federal government has been making strident efforts to resolve contentious issues with the university teachers, to get the institutions to re-open. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Pupils and students resumed in some private and public schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited some schools within Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils saw students in their large numbers in their classes.

NAN reports that parents were bringing in students in some schools namely Madona Nursery and Primary School, Demonstration Primary School, St. David Nursery and Primary school in Gwagwalada Area Council.

At the Girlcrest Nursery and Primary School and Arada International College in Kuje Area Council, the schools security personnel were checking temperatures of pupils and they were made to use hand sanitisers before entering their classes.

Mrs Evlyn David, a parent, appealed with schools to be considerate with tuition and other fees, especially with the hard economic situation in the country to enable students resume school.

David said that her childrens school had a sharp increase in the fees when she went to pay for their school fees and other fees were also increased.

Another parent, Mrs Dorothy Zakaria, said she was happy that both the school and parents had provided necessary safety equipment for students resumption.

She called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to reach a workable and speedy resolution to enable university students go back to school.

One of the students at Arada International College in Kuje, Mohammed Mani, expressed delight with the resumption, saying he is happy to continue with his studies after two months at home.

Also, Miss Joy Ukari, another student said she was excited that the school had finally reopened; adding that she was fully prepared for the resumption. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

Acting Corps Marshal Dauda Biu of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has charged Commanding Officers to ensure that Staff under their purview maintain political neutrality, as well as avoid any form of participation in political rallies and campaigns and also avoid piloting political convoys.

In a statement by ACM Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer on Monday in Abuja, he disclosed that this was to put their operation in perspective as activities for the 2023 general elections gather momentum across the country.

Biu gave the directive in reference to the FRSC (Establishment) Act which stipulates the status of the Corps as a public service agency that does not have any political affiliation.

He said that the FRSC was solely established to provide essential services to all citizens, irrespective of their political interests or representation.

The Corps Marshal, however, directed the Commanding Officers to be sensitive to the plight of road users and prepare to tackle any traceable traffic gridlock that could arise as a result of the political activities.

He added that they should ensure adequate deployment of personnel for ease of movement in form of traffic controls and traffic calming.

Biu reassured the public of the Corps readiness and commitment to making the roads safer at all times and admonished them to always abide by established road traffic regulations.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Nigerias Ekanem Ekwueme has been unanimously voted into the board of the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) Ladies Association as the Trustee in charge of the West and Central Africa region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement of the result took place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Tanzania.

The result saw Ekwueme unanimously voted in by all the West and Central African delegates.

Juliet Monyei-Inyere, the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), who confirmed Ekwuemes victory to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said she was voted unopposed during the associations Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dar es Salaam.

A hearty congratulations to our past LGAN President, Ekanem Ekwueme on her unopposed election into the Board of the AACT Ladies Association.

She was voted into the board as the new Trustee in charge of all the West and Central Africa region during the AGM in Tanzania on Friday.

It was indeed an overwhelming and well deserved victory for one of our own.

Here is wishing her a very successful tenure of four years. We are proud of her, she said.

Ekwueme, who is also the only certified female World Handicap System (WHS) Course rater in Nigeria, told NAN that she was elated to have been voted into the board.

She added that she would bring all her experience to bear in the discharge of her duties for the next four years.

I am really delighted and elated to have been unanimously voted into the board of the AACT.

Indeed this is not just a victory for me, but also a big one for Nigeria and the whole West and Central Africa as well.

I hope to bring all the experiences I have been able to gather over the years to bear in the discharge of my duties in this highly exalted office for the next four years, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Team Nigeria finished in an impressive seventh position out of 20 countries which participated at the just concluded prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy 2022 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Golf tournament is a biennial continental ladies golf championship in Africa that had its inaugural edition in May 1992.

Nigeria hosted the 1996 and 2010 editions at the Ikoyi Golf club, Lagos and the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Each participating country is represented by three players and a non-playing captain.

Using Eisenhower scoring, the best two scores per round count towards the daily team score in the 54-hole stroke play format.

NAN also reports that Nigeria ladies golf team scored 488 gross to settle for 7th place out of 20 countries in this years championship which was the 15th edition.

Amina Wilfred and Evelyn Oyome were the players on the Nigerian team.

South Africa ladies team won the 2022 Golf Championship at the Gymkhana club in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

The victors who have now won the title for a record 12th time, had a combined total score of 444 gross in three rounds, five strokes better than North Africans, Morocco.

South Africas team had Brown Bobbi, Gabrielle Venter and Bronwyn Leigh Doeg.

The trio were impressive throughout the three rounds of action.

Morocco (449), host Tanzania (455), Kenya (458), Zimbabwe (476), Uganda (480), Nigeria (488), Zambia (496), Ghana (498) and Gabon (517) completed the championships top 10 leaderboard of the best three scores in 54 holes.

Egypt who has one title to its name, settled for the 11th spot, Ivory Coast (12th), Mauritius (13th), Malawi (14th), Botswana (15th), Cameroon (16th), Rwanda (17th), Mali (18th), Burundi (19th) and Togo (20th).

Juliet Monyei-Inyere, the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) who confirmed the result to NAN on Sunday, said it was the best performance by Team Nigeria in more than a decade.

I want to congratulate my able Nigerian Team who went with me to the All Africa Challenge Trophy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2022.

I can proudly say that we went, we saw and we conquered.

Even though Nigeria featured two players instead of three (due to travel document issues), we were able finish seventh out of 21 countries, which is our best performance in over a decade, she said.

She noted that the trip was hugely successful as Nigeria also won the position of the AACT Trustee for the West

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Police Command in Kaduna State says its operatives have rescued three kidnapped victims, recovered arms, ammunition and operational vehicles in two different locations.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, DSP Muhammad Jalije, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

Jalige said, the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Usman Babas directives on rigorous visible patrols and domination of public space by Police had continued to yield the desired outcome.

According to him, these accomplished feats were against the backdrop of a complaint received on Sept. 4, that one Yusuf Abubakar of Dorayi quarters in Kano State has been abducted.

On the same date at Barde village in Ikara LGA of Kaduna State, the abductors were demanding for N50 million ransom.

On receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police Kaduna State, Mr Yekini Ayoku, directed the Divisional Police Officer Ikara to spread his operational dragnet to ensure the victim was rescued unhurt and culprits arrested.

Consequently, on Sept. 9 at about 2015hrs, Police Operatives attached to the Division while on intensive purposeful crime prevention patrol along Ikara- Tashan Yari road, intercepted a motorcycle conveying three persons riding in a suspicious manner.

The operatives promptly caught up with the motorcyclists after a high-speed chase and two of the riders on sensing Police pursuit jumped off the motorcycle and fled into the bush, he added.

Jalige said the operatives upon search of the motorcycle, recovered a concealed AK47 rifle loaded with 10 rounds of live 7.62 X 39mm ammunitions.

He said the identity of the rescued man was later discovered to be the Yusuf Abubakar of Dorayi whose report of kidnap was earlier received by the Division.

The victim and the exhibits were moved to the Police Station for further investigation while the fleeing culprits are being trailed for arrest.

The victim has been medically evaluated and reunited with his family, he said.

Jalige also said on Sept 9, at 0245hrs, operatives of the Command attached to Hunkuyi Division, while on aggressive patrol on Zaria Kano expressway, intercepted a suspicious Ford Mini Bus with Reg No. ZAR 532 XR and the occupants rather than heed the police order to halt for search, engaged the Operatives in a gun duel.

The operatives responded gallantly and in the ensuing melee, the hoodlums fled with varying bullet wounds leaving behind two female occupants of the said vehicle who were rescued.

Upon search of the vehicle, an AK47 Magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live 7.62 39mm ammunition were recovered.

He said the preliminary investigation revealed that the two female occupants were the wives of one person at Kwanar Dangora, Kano State who were earlier abducted by the hoodlums.

The CP commended the officers for the achievements and tasked them to do more, to reduce crime and criminalities to the barest minimum in the state, Jalige said.

He equally called on the public to be security conscious at all times and alert security agencies on noticing any suspicious movement and activities around them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Olukayode Babalola

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF), says the Keffi Unity Polo Tournament will go a long way in creating harmony among Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament on Sunday in Keffi, Nasarawa state Mustapha said: We need to lower the heat in the political atmosphere.

Platforms like this will create harmony and for people to be at ease, watch a game of polo and reflect on the issues of Nigeria is a welcome development

On the coming elections, the only responsible thing for the people to do is to make sure that they register to vote so that their voices may be heard.

The SGF urged Nigerians to avoid acts that will further aggravate the already tensed situation in the country.

We should take a cue from what just happened in Kenya where a declaration was made at the end of an election and instead of resorting to self help the loser went to Court.

And the Court had the opportunity to give its verdict and the loser accepted the verdict in the interest of the nation.

I think that is a very good lesson that we should imbibe as a nation.

At the end of the exercise in 2023, there will obviously be a winner, so the loser must either accept the loss in good faith or approach the Court to be heard.

He said the off-season election in Osun was a testament to the Federal Governments readiness to be neutral come 2023.

As a government, we have demonstrated that we will never interfere with the electoral process.

The off season election in Osun was a clear demonstration of our commitment to a clean and fair electoral process, Mustapha added.

He also commended Mr Ahmed Wadada for his initiative, adding, it was capable of creating harmony across political divides.

Also speaking, Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, praised the objective of the tournament, which according to him attracted several dignitaries and politicians from different political parties.

Dare pledged to ensure that his ministry supports any sporting activity that promotes unity among Nigerians.

Using polo as a tool to promote unity of our country is very encouraging and we pray that more people will play Polo.

The ministry will always support every sport that engages Nigerians and promotes unity, whether its polo, golf, football or athletics

The idea of hosting a national polo game came up and Wadada discussed it with us and we supported it.

I am happy to see the dignitaries here and polo has truly been used to promote harmony, so, Wadada had done a great job, he said.

PDP Presidential candidate, ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, represented by Babangida Aliyu, former Niger governor described the tournament as apt and critical in bringing people together.

This provides an opportunity to have open conversations in a friendly atmosphere on issues causing divisions in the country.

Coming here is very important, because we need these kinds of activities bring people of all kinds together to understand that politics is not a physical war.

Instead, it should be more a war of wits, a war of ideas. A war of getting people to appreciate who to vote for, he added.

APC Presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, was represented by Yusuf Husseini, Director-General, Tinubu Presidential Ambassadors of Nigeria and Diaspora (TPAND).

He said that bringing all the political stakeholders together indicated that the 2023 General Elections would be devoid of rancour.

Hence the call on more Nigerians to emulate Keffi Polo ranch by coming up with initiatives to promote unity.

This tournament is a very good platform for all individuals, irrespective of party affiliations to come and express their oneness and one love.

We are together and will work together for the success of the electoral processes, he said.

Ogianme Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri and the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa, extolled the objective of the tournament.

The duo pledged to support any initiative geared towards fostering peace and unity in their domains and in Nigeria in general.

Ahmed Wadada, Founder and Promoter of Keffi Polo Ranch said that organizing the tournament with the objective of promoting unity was as a mark of responsibility and responsiveness.

He said: As a mark of responsiveness in the sense that we all know what obtains today in our political dealings.

The tension is so much. So, being responsive to it made me to be responsible to have conceptualized this tournament.

We have been able to convey the message of the objective of the tournament.

This is to create a platform that will bolster peaceful coexistence of the political gladiators and players who will also in the long run ensure a hitch-free general elections in 2023.

We have demonstrated that it is not everything that must be viewed through the realm of politics.

Wadada stated there were people from all the political divides, adding, this is the message we try to preach.

The tournament is centred around unity and the representation here has shown.

The spirit of sportsmanship obtainable in sports in general and the game of Polo in particular must be seen to prevail in the forthcoming elections.

We must know that not all will be winners in the coming election. So, as we prepare to win, we must prepare to accept defeat if it comes.

.NAN reports that at the final of the tournament, Team Malco Mines defeated Team Keffi Ponys 8-7 via penalty shootout to win the tournaments champion trophy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani has commiserated with King Charles III and the United Kingdom over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, in a condolence message to King Charles III, described the late Queen as a revered monarch that ever lived on earth.

He said the late Queen was an uncommon monarch, who paid attention to duty and promoted excellent work ethics.

He said that she was also diligent and had an unwavering commitment to the welfare and security of her people.

Queen Elizabeth was a quintessential monarch who spread goodwill in all nooks and crannies of the world.

She was royalty personified and gave dignity and meaning to monarchy to the admiration of the world.

She promoted world peace and cooperation especially through the Commonwealth Games. Above all, she exhibited an uncommon humility.

Her death is arguably an end of an era, she left indelible footprints in the sand of time

Our condolences to King Charles III, the British Royal Family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth nations on the passage of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, he said.

Nnamani prayed God, in His infinite mercy, to grant her eternal rest.

He urged the people of England and commonwealth nations to immortalise the great monarch for her numerous contributions to humanity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) on Saturday inaugurated staff quarters for NAOWA College and 500 seater multipurpose hall for NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School in Abuja

Some deserving members of staff including teaching and non-teaching staff the two schools were also honoured with gift items for years of meritorious service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the staff quarter was named after Mrs Nnena Ihejirika, the 500 seat auditorium was named after Mrs Martha Bamayi, both former presidents of NAOWA.

While Mrs Bamayi established the NAOWA model school in 1999, Mrs Ihejirika established NAOWA college in 2013.

The incumbent president of NAOWA, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya said the structures were products of her vision of Sustaining Legacies and Upholding the Tenets of Unity and Service.

Yahaya said that past leaders of NAOWA had carved a niche for themselves and secured ample space in the associations hall of fame through their remarkable leadership styles and establishments of sustainable legacies.

According to her, sustaining these legacies through maintenance of existing structures, construction of additional structures, standardisation of all facilities and enhancement of quality services through capacity development programmes for NAOWA members and staff, are the operating principles of her vision.

This Commissioning Ceremony is an avenue to celebrate and immortalize two great NAOWA past Presidents who have made noteworthy impacts in the growth structure of NAOWA.

In this regards, we resolved that the newly constructed Staff Quarters here at the NAOWA College Abuja be named Mrs Nnenna Ihejirika Staff Quarters and the Multipurpose Hall at NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Asokoro be named: Mrs Martha Bamaiyi Multipurpose Hall.

This is indeed, our way of showing respect and also engraving continuity as a mantra in the leadership structure of NAOWA at all levels.

It is also a way of preserving history for the benefit of NAOWA members, prospective leaders. staff and students of these institutions, as well as the public at large, she said.

NAOWA president said that the 19 members of staff rewarded with gift items, had put in an average of 15 years meritorious service in the services of the two schools located in Asokoro.

She said the gesture was their way of showing appreciation for their hard work, commitment, perseverance and determination in the developmental process of the School.

She appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commandants of army institutions, commanders and other senior military officers for their support towards the establishment of the structures.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yahaya commended the efforts of the past and present leadership of NAOWA for their foresightedness in supporting the educational development in the Nigerian army.

Yahaya also commended the officers wives for taking the lead in addressing the needs of their homes as well as supporting to meet the educational needs of their children.

He pledged to continue to support NAOWA in their quest to touch lives within and outside the barracks.

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Vickie Irabor, lauded the vision of the past presidents of NAOWA who established the schools that had become flagship in the military community.

Irabor said the women had continued to hold the home front fronts while their husbands were being deployed in various fronts to confront security challenges.

On her part, Mrs Bamayi thanked the NAOWA president for recognizing her contribution to the development of education in the Nigerian army.

She urged the association to sustain the vision of the founders and continue to build on the existing structures.

Mrs Ihejirika on her part commended the successive NAOWA leadership for sustaining and expanding the legacy of the past leaders.

She thanked Mrs Yahaya for acknowledging and remembering her for an honour to name the colleges staff quarter after her.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of various gift items like plasma LED television set to 19 teaching and non-teaching staff of the schools in recognition of their meritorious services over the years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Ma

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News