The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • WC review: FIFA knocks Falcons over poor showing in France

    World Soccer Ruling body, FIFA, under the aegis of its Technical Study Group (TSG) has given a damning verdict on the performance of the Super Falcons at the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

    The Coach Thomas Dennerby-led side beat only Korea Republic (2-0) in their Preliminary Group A match but lost 3-0 to Norway and 1-0 to hosts France to sneak into the second round as one of the best losers. But the Falcons failed to progress further following an unimpressive 3-0 loss to Germany in the Round of 16.

    In an analytical review of the tournament, the TSG headed by American April Heinrichs and working in conjunction  with the FIFA Coaching and Player Development Department led by Branimir Ujevic, scored the Super Falcons below average  in almost all the departments of the game as it allocated 40 per cent for possession in all the four matches while they also came in distant 13th position in the overall standing.

    The team also came a distant 16th averaging a mere 25 percent in the Opponents and Opposition Defenders Bypassed category and were also awarded 21 per cent in the Crosses and Cross success.

    It would be recalled that the Super Falcons only scored two goals in four matches in France consequently the TSG awarded them with just 1.3 points  as per shots on target  even as the team  finished bottom as the team with the least distance coverage with 100.5km in four matches.

    Yet Super Falcons’ assistant coach at the tournament and former Nigerian international, Maureen Mmadu has stoutly defended the performance of the team in France, even as she admitted there is room for improvement.

    “I’m yet to digest fully the report of the TSG but the truth is that we did our best in France because it was the first time we reached the  round of 16  since  at the FIFA World Cup since 1999,” Mmadu who  is the only Nigerian women  with over 100  international caps told NationSport.

    “Our coaching crew led by Thomas Dennerby tried our best to impact discipline and professionalism into the team  and I believe we could have even done more if we’d continue with the program we have for the team  after the World Cup in France.”

    Mmadu who played in four FIFA World Cups with the Super Falcons in her active days said that Nigerian clubs and players would have to imbibe true professionalism to enhance the growth of the game.

    “We still have a long way to go but our players need to be as professional as their counterparts in Europe and they must be ready to sacrifice especially when they are playing for the Super Falcons,” she noted.

  • Rohr: my squad against Brazil ready

    Nigerians rooting for Chelsea’s duo of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori to don the Super Eagles colours would have to wait a little longer, according to Coach Gernot Rohr.

    Though enthusiastic about the prospect of adding the duo to the Super Eagles, the German said it is a long process before the players can make the expected switch since they had already featured for England.

    He cited the fact that Abraham and Tomori have played with the English youth teams would make it difficult to process their eligibility for the Super Eagles.

    He used Torino’s Ola Aina as an example of how difficult it was to change nationality. “The two players (Abraham and Tomori) have already played with England and there is a long process to follow before they can feature for Nigeria,” Rohr said in a chat with NationSport.

    Read Also: Rohr unfazed by Nigeria’s drop on FIFA rankings

    He added: “It took NFF one year before we could get Ola Aina to play for us.”

    Meanwhile, Rohr hinted: “My squad he has already submitted the Super Eagles team list for the next month’s International friendly between Nigeria and Brazil to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The Super Eagles will face the five-time world champions on October 13 at the National Stadium in Singapore.

    The thee-time African champions Nigeria begin their qualifying campaign for the 2021 AFCON on November 11 against Benin Republic at the southern Nigerian town of Benin City. Sierra Leone and Lesotho are the other teams in their qualifying group.

  • World best: Messi 6, Ronaldo 5, Barca star wins record title

    Barcelona’s Lionel Messi won the best men’s player at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Milan as Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk missed out on the top prize.

    It is the sixth time Messi has been voted the best player in the world ahead or Ronaldo who has five awards, while van Dijk, who won UEFA’s best award, made the final short list for the first time.

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp won the men’s coach of the year. Klopp was nominated for the award along with two other Premier League bosses – Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino.

    The Reds boss announced at the end of his acceptance speech that he has joined the Common Goal campaign.

    Common Goal is a charitable project, started by Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, with the aim of using the power of football to generate social change and improve people’s lives.

    It’s members donate one per cent of their income to active projects in all continents.

    USA star Megan Rapinoe is named FIFA Women’s Best Player. Rapinoe hailed Raheem Sterling for his stance against and many others after winning the award.

  • PDP chieftain abducted in Benue

    The state of insecurity in the country was clearly illustrated in Benue State when a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his way to a security meeting was abducted by gunmen before he got to the venue.

    Mr Ben Akile, a chieftain of the PDP, was travelling from Zaki Biam to Katsina Ala in Benue North-East senatorial district when the vehicle he was riding in was stopped by gun-wielding men who seized him and took him away.

    Akile was on his way to attend a zonal meeting of the party where attendees were scheduled to discuss the insecurity in the middle belt and proffer solution to it.

    Read Also: Senate to back Buhari’s plans on economy, insecurity, says Sani

    Mr  Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of the state, was billed to be at the meeting.

    An eyewitness Paul Unande told The Nation that Akile was travelling alongside other top party leaders in a vehicle belonging to state party legal adviser Mr. Tela Mue when the gunmen stopped them.

    It was learnt that the abductors shot at them from the bush, robbed them of cash and other valuables before taking Akile to an unknown destination.

    At press time the gunmen were yet to contact the family of the victim.

  • Seven dismissed soldiers held for robbery

    No fewer than 88 suspects including seven dismissed soldiers have been arrested for armed robbery, murder and cultism by operatives of the Lagos State Command, Commissioner Zubairu Muazu said yesterday.

    He said the command in the last few months apprehended 40 suspected armed robbers, 29 cultists and 19 murderers, adding that 31 armed robbery attempts were fouled, 19 firearms and 51 ammunition recovered.

    Briefing reporters on the activities of the command, the police chief said among the arrested cultists were leaders of notorious Awawa Boys, appreciating residents for providing credible information to prevent and combat crimes.

    He assured that the police and sister agencies would in a few weeks start robust operations ahead of the yuletide to ensure that criminals do not flood into the state before, during and after the celebrations.

    Giving details on the arrests, Muazu said seven dismissed soldiers, Ndidi Oluchukwu, 30;  Owolabi Adeyemo ,42; David Olufemi, 47; Iseyin Samuel Isreal, 41; Emeka Ibeh, 29, Samuel Anochime, 36, and Ebedot Stephen, 27 were arrested for armed robbery and car snatching.

    Read Also: Police arrest wanted Port Harcourt serial killer

    The police chief said they were notorious for oppressing residents of Ijegun adding that an incident occurred around 4:35pm on February 19 where they snatched the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of a commuter travelling to Ibadan.

    “It is on the strength of those complaints that we tasked our Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives to identify the gang and apprehend them.

    “Members of the robbery gang were arrested at Ijegun, Baruwa Estate, Ipaja, Iyana-Paja, Isashi and Ikotun areas of Lagos. Investigation revealed that the suspects are dismissed soldiers and items recovered from them include 12 pairs of military camouflage uniforms, two cutlasses, ATM cards, military ID cards, jack knives, a female pant and a local ring. The suspects confessed to be responsible for series of robberies within Ijegun and its environs and they will be charged to court as soon as investigation has been concluded,” he said.

    However, the suspects told reporters they were not armed robbers, insisting that they were only involved in illegal excursion of vehicles.

    While three admitted to have been dismissed from the army for fleeing the war front in the northeast, two said they were of the Merchant Navy, the other two civilians and that got the camouflages through unnamed Commander.

    Also paraded were 11 suspected traffic robbers said to have been arrested at the wee hours of September 14 at Igando.

    Muazu said their arrest followed the report of an armed robbery case by one Atolagbe Oyindamola, a resident of 14, Alaka Street, Abule Oja in Yaba against one Ahmed Durojaiye, 23; Waheed Oseni, 24; Rilwan Moshood 27 and Taiwo Idowu, 32.

    He said the suspects were notorious for snatching phones, money and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public in traffic, adding that the operated mostly on motorcycles.

    “When the four suspects were arrested, a locally made pistol was recovered from them and they confessed to be members of Eiye confraternity. A follow up investigation by the State CIID led to the arrest of additional seven suspects- Mosuru Mukaila, 20; Ahmed Oyebode, 29; Seyi Ogundele,36; Ogunmola Akintayo, 30; Olatunji Segun ,28;  Ayobami Olaniyi, 20 and Oladimeji Mustapha, 27.

    “They confessed to be responsible for series of robberies at traffic points, bus stops, around Yabatech, Yaba, Ejigbo, Igando-Ikotun, Ipaja and Isolo areas of the state. A tricycle, five Bajaj motorcycles, two cutlasses and two phones were recovered from them.

    “Investigation revealed that Ahmed Oyebode who is a cultist and motorcycle operator gave his bike out for robbery operations and received stolen phones, cash derived from the operations as reward. Meanwhile, Seyi Ogundele and Ogunmola Akintayo are well known leaders of Eiye cult group in Ejigbo. They will be charged to court,” he said.

  • NYSC hands over 65 ‘fake graduates’ to police

    The National Youth Service Corps has handed over 65 fake graduates apprehended during Batch B Stream 2 orientation course to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The organisation said the corps members were apprehended across the 37 camps for allegedly presenting fake certificates during registration.

    It said this was discovered by verification officers in some of the camps during registration.

    The NYSC disclosed this in a document obtained by The Nation at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.

    According to the document, three of the corps members claimed to have graduated from Istop University, Cotonou in Benin Republic, a claim the scheme said was  false.

    Some of the corps members facing prosecution include: Nasiru Yau, Sheu Muktar,  Iliyasu Usman, Offor Blessing Chinelo, Mezenwa Ngozi Chidinma, Nwachukwu Chimaobi Curtis, Ononuju Amarachi Nwamaka, Francis Joseph Arinze and Chigozie Evidence Chijioke.

    The paper reads: “The total number of fake corps members nabbed during the 2019 Batch B Stream II orientation course was 65. All of them were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

    “They were picked from different NYSC camps all over the federation.”

    Read Also: ‘NYSC didn’t post Corps members to religious organisations’

    In Kano State, the NYSC  last week said it rejected a total of 108 prospective corps members posted to the state for presenting questionable certificates among other infractions.

    The State Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Ladan Baba said 1,700 prospective corps members were deployed to the state but the office registered 1,592.

    “The most worrisome is the fact that some of them did not undergo any academic pursuits but obtained certificates through illegal means with allegations that some did so in Kano and environs,” he had said.

    Also on August 30, the NYSC had noted that it nabbed over 50 unqualified graduates who came with fake certificates to the orientation camps and attempted to be registered for the just concluded Batch B Stream II Exercise.

    The NYSC authorities said the fake graduates, from various tertiary institutions, “were decamped from the NYSC orientation camps and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.”

    The NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi explained that the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim was stern in his warning that unqualified home-based and foreign-trained Nigerians would no longer pass through the scheme.

    “The NYSC is committed to stemming the tide of fraudulent mobilisation of unqualified home-based and foreign-trained Nigerians, especially those purported to have graduated from unaccredited universities in the West African sub-region,” she noted.

  • Power lights up Kebbi community

    Kare-Dadin Kowa, an agrarian community in Kebbi State has joined the growing solar-powered communities in Nigeria. Last week, the Federal Government inaugurated a 98.8KW solar hybrid mini-grid power plant. For a border community which produces the best rice and millet in Nigeria, the facility will not only improve their ways of lives, it will also boost their trade and end the long dark years, writes CHINAKA OKORO.

     

    For Kare-Dadin Kowa, a small riverside community in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, things are no longer the same. The tiny community with a total population of about 3,180 people has agriculture and fishing as its main economic activities.

    Residents of this agrarian community have been in darkness for decades and had resigned to fate until the ‘unexpected’ happened.

    Power supply is a major problem in Nigeria, which the Federal Government has battled unsuccessfully to fix. Successive administrations’ efforts to remedy the situation have proved futile. But, solar power is coming to the rescue.

    The Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is trying its best to fix the power sector. One of the ways through which it’s tackling the problem of power supply is the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through which electricity is provided for universities and rural communities.  Kare-Dadin Kowa, an agrarian community in Kebbi State is the latest beneficiary.

    So, on Tuesday last week, there was a new vista for this community that has been in the dark for years. That was the day the Federal Government inaugurated a 98.8KW solar hybrid mini-grid power plant for the community.

    The ecstatic members of the community rolled out the drums to celebrate an end to long years of darkness. As the inauguration lasted, the people watched in amazement as they were about to experience a new lease of life.

    They, including the old and the young, were excited as they lined the streets to witness the historic event. The traditional troupes added colour as they sang and danced to the rhythm of the traditional music to the admiration of the guests.

    Determined not to rest on its oars until the unserved and underserved communities across the regions of the country have equitable access to uninterrupted and sustainable power through an off-grid independent power plant, the President Buhari-led administration again fulfilled one of its mandates  on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

    The entire Kebbi State literally converged on Kare-Dadin Kowa community to witness the historic inauguration  of a 98.8KW solar hybrid mini-grid power plant.

    Read Also: Electricity market and unfavourable, helpless regulator

    The newly inaugurated solar hybrid mini-grid plant would provide clean energy to 483 residential buildings, schools, places of worship, health centres, 82 commercial buildings which would also serve over 3,000 inhabitants of Kare-Dadin Kowa community.

    Implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under its Rural Electrification Fund (REF), the fund strives to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants to promote off-grid electrification and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification.

    The first call of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) will energise 12 communities and deploy 19,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS). REF projects are administered using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

    Praising President Buhari’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of people living at the grassroots, Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, an Engineer, congratulated members of the community in particular and Kebbi State in general on the success of the inauguration. He further stated that the ministry under his leadership is committed to electrifying  Nigeria.

    “Under my leadership, the Ministry of Power will continue to provide requisite policy interventions to ensure that transformative projects such as this will have the desired impact of electrifying Nigeria,” he said.

    In his remark read  by the   representative of Kebbi State Governor and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development Aminu Umar,   Governor Abubakar Bagudu  commended President Buhari-led administration’s  Next Level Roadmap in rural electrification.

    He said: ”The solar hybrid mini-grid will expand and transform the economic landscape of Kebbi State. Small businesses such as welders, cold room operators as well as processing mills can now operate more effectively with reliable and clean electricity as a result of this project. This solar installation has 380 panels that will provide electricity to over 3,000 residents of this community. We are the land of equity and this project is further ensuring the distribution of equitable power to the people of Kebbi State.

    “My vision is to industrialise Kebbi, making it an economic hub. This is why we have focused on the provision of electricity within Kebbi State by partnering and supporting on-grid providers, with new transformers and injection of funds to stabilise and ensure constant power supply to the state.

    “The impact of this power project will also be felt in other sectors such as tourism. With an available supply of clean energy, commerce and industrial activities will increase in the state. We all aspire for a fully electrified Nigeria and we will achieve this with your continued support and dedication.”

    In his address, the representative of the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency and Executive  Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Dr Sanusi Ohiare praised the commitment of the Federal Government by staying through to its words.

    “Kare-Dadin Kowa community is the second of 12 communities earmarked to benefit from Rural Electrification Fund (REF) grants. The project being inaugurated is implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency, with the goal of providing equitable access to electricity across Nigeria. These days REA provides electricity to 82 commercial businesses, 482 residences and over 3,180 residents (including women and children).

    “I must state that these are exciting times because history is being made in Kare-Dadin Kowa, Kebbi State and in Nigeria as a whole.

    “Not only have the people of Kare-Dadin Kowa been provided with access to stable electricity, but also, this project provided job opportunities for the industrious people of this community in engineering, construction and project management.  Thanks to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Next Level Roadmap, more Nigerians can look forward to a Nigerian dream, where access to stable power is no longer dependent on alternative sources of electricity that are harmful to our health and the environment.”

    Ohiare expressed his appreciation to the Kare-Dadin Kowa Community for their openness and support, the private sector developer, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited for delivering the project to its full capacity and also his team in the Rural Electrification Agency, particularly to the MD/CEO, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi for the guidance and tenacity in ensuring that the various initiatives earmarked under the Rural Electrification Fund come to fruition.

    Expressing his delight to the initiative which has brought his community out of perpetual darkness, the District Head of the community, Alhaji Musa Maina Jantullu said he recognised the significance of the project and was delighted to be one of the beneficiary communities. “This community has been in darkness for too long and this is why my subjects and my community are grateful to the Federal Government and the people of the Rural Electrification Agency for counting us worthy to benefit from solar technology.

    “There is no doubt that the electricity will improve the way of life of my people, intellectual ability of our students by having electricity to read. This is an agrarian community which produces the best and largest rice and millet in Nigeria. As a border community, this will, undoubtedly, develop our community. I am elated, my subjects are joyous and we promise to protect and sustain it,” he said.

    In his goodwill message, the Emir of Argungu Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, said: ”This is especially gratifying for us and our rural communities in Kebbi State.  We can now experience what we would normally refer to as city life now that we will have access to reliable and stable electricity.

    “We are a small fishing and agricultural community. So, this is a major development as new business opportunities in milling, processing, storage and fishery will now become a reality for our industrious people. I appreciate the dedication of the Federal Government in ensuring that Nigerians, irrespective of their geographical locations, can now have access to constant electricity.”

    In line with REF’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, private  sector participation and investment was also critical to the successful implementation of the project.

    The MD/CEO, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Anayo Okenwa said the installed solar hybrid mini-grid was constructed in line with international standards and best practice.

    “As an indigenous firm, we are proud to have leveraged the skills and capacity of our host community, in addition to providing the enabling environment for skilled labour and job creation,” he said.

    The Director, Rural Electrifcation Fund, Bulus Maiyaki commended  President Buhari for ensuring that Nigerians have increased access to clean and reliable electricity in their homes, businesses and schools. He also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Power, the National Assembly and their Committees on Power in creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of Rural Electrification Fund projects across Nigeria.

    He acknowledged the outstanding leadership role of the MD/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Kebbi State Governor Bagudu for his support, the Emirs and district heads for creating enabling environment for the project to be executed. He also thanked Nayo Tropical Technology Limited for its incredible efforts and professional expertise demonstrated on the project with the state-of-the-art installation.

  • Buhari ensuring better livelihoods for Nigerians, says SGF Mustapha

    The Federal Government has kick-started activities to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day celebrations on October 1.

    Nigeria got independence from Britain on October 1 in 1960.

    Addressing reporters yesterday to announce activities form the celebration at the Radio House in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, thanked God for preserving the nation to witness its 59th anniversary.

    The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the SGF, Gabriel Aduda, said efforts had been made to keep the nation united over the years, despite its diverse challenges.

    But he stressed that the country ought to be far ahead where it is today, if not for the numerous challenges.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he said, was doing its best to ensure better livelihoods for the citizenry and leave long-lasting legacies.

    Read Also: Buhari unfolds plans to reverse climate change effects in Nigeria

    Mustapha said 10 youths will win N1 million each during the youth concert on Monday, September 30.

    According to him, it was the result of intellectual prowess, patriotic zeal, as well as love of country that enabled the nation’s forebears to succeed in their struggle.

    “Nigeria’s leaders, since then, have made varied contributions to building our nation state.

    “Above all, efforts have been made to ensure that the country remains united, despite diverse challenges, which are not un-expected in a multicultural society such as ours.

    “Independence Day for us is a joyous occasion, but also a sobering one because we are beset with a lot of developmental challenges, looking at how far we have come.

    “Ideally, we should be far ahead of where we are right now as a people. But nevertheless, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not sitting on its oars but working to ensure better livelihoods for the Nigerian people,” he said.

    The nation’s chief scribe said it was Mr President’s avowed determination to bequeath to the nation a long-lasting legacy of improved infrastructural facilities and a better economy across the length and breadth of the country.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that other activities lined up for the celebration include a Juma’at prayer in the afternoon and a special lecture on Friday, September 27, at the National Mosque in Abuja earlier at 10 a.m.

    An interdenominational Christian service will come up on Sunday, September 29, at the National Christian Centre by 3 p.m.

    Also to be featured for the celebration is the National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit and youth concert on Monday, September 30 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m at the International Conference Centre and Millennium Park.

    On Tuesday, October 1, there will be Independence media broadcast by President Buhari at 7 a.m and Presidential change of guards at 9 a.m at the State House Forecourt.

    Also, a public lecture gala night will take place at State House Conference Centre at 6 p.m.

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Grace Gekpe, said Nigeria had gone far as a nation at 59th celebration.

    “God has kept us for this 59th years and it is our belief that we will wax stronger even as we move on to the Next Level.

    “It is a good thing that we have clocked 59th years. We’ve gone far as a nation and God has been so faithful to us.

    “It is our belief that a lot of things will happen in this anniversary celebration. There will be a lot of policies and programmes that will be implemented effectively beyond this 59th anniversary,” Mohammed said.

  • Okoh predicts end to Nigeria’s problems

    Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria in the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s numerous challenges will soon become history.

    He urged Nigerians to put their trust in God, stressing that the Almighty is alive and working.

    Okoh spoke on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra State, at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the New Bishop’s court.

    “The security problems, economic hardship, the non-release of the kidnapped Christian girl, Lear Sharibu, and all the things Nigerians have been complaining against under the present administration, I want Nigerians to believe that its well,” he said.

    The cleric described members of the Diocese on the Niger as one of the engines and pillars on which the Church of Nigeria stood.

    He advised them not to feel disturbed when certain demands are made of them.

    Okoh said: “The demands Church of Nigeria makes from you is according to your age. After the Diocese of Lagos, the next is the Diocese on the Niger.

    “You must meet the demands we make because you form part of the engine of the Church of Nigeria. Do not say we are demanding much from you.

    “We are happy you are equal to the task because you are not using your time to quarrel and write petitions and insult your leaders but building the church with spiritual and structural activities.”

    The retiring Primate advised the clergy to use their time to serve God to the best of their ability, adding: “We do not abide; we come, pass away.

    “As I stand on the threshold of my retirement, we must look back. The time is running very fast. Whatever you want to do that will keep your name, do it now. Otherwise, you will regret.”

  • Fed Govt to fight sleeping sickness with sterile tsetse flies

    To effectively fight the scourge of trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in the country, the Federal Government has approved the construction of a modern tsetse fly mass rearing facility in Vom, Plateau State.

    The facility is to generate millions of sterile male tsetse flies for field release to mop up populations that may persist after suppression to achieve eradication.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who broke the news yesterday in Abuja, said tsetse fly poses serious problem to livestock production in Africa as well as to human health.

    The minister said the country was willing to lead Africa in the fight against tsetse fly and work closely with other nations on the continent to reclaim land occupied by the insects.

    Onu spoke at the 35th International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) and the 18th meeting of Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control (PATTEC).

    He said: “This Conference is very important for Africa’s search for food security. Africa, as the second largest continent, has enough arable land for Africans to feed the world. Hence, Africa should not suffer from hunger and poverty. The tsetse fly has posed very serious problems to livestock production in Africa, as well as to human health.

    “Its effective control has become absolutely necessary for us in Africa to attain self-sufficiency in livestock production as well as maintain human health. Effectively controlling tsetse fly is a task that must be done, in view of the fact that Africa is made up of young people with an increasing population. Achieving this will help us feed ourselves, remain healthy, grow our economy and create jobs for our people.

    “I am very happy that Nigeria played a very important role in the decision of the African Heads of State and Government that endorsed the PATTEC initiative. My ministry, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has always given PATTEC-Nigeria the much needed attention it rightly deserves.

    Read Also: FG to release millions of sterile tsetsefly to fight trypanosomiasis

    “This will continue. Many effective measures were taken in the past. We have just approved the construction of a modern tsetse mass rearing facility at Vom to generate millions of sterile males for field releases to mop up populations that may persist after suppression to achieve eradication.”

    “I am happy to inform you that with the measures already put in place, Nigeria will indeed lead Africa in the fight against the tsetse fly. We want to work closely with all other nations in Africa so that together we can reclaim our land presently occupied by tsetse flies.”

    The Director of African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalthy said the tsetse fly, which is only found in Sub-Saharan Africa, causes sleeping sickness in humans and affects animals.

    He said: “This problem exists in Africa and we need to sort it out as Africans. This disease is trans-border; no one country can control the disease. All efforts must be put in place by member-states in the region. This meeting is one we hold every two years. But this year, we are here to review what we have achieved, the challenges and how to move forward.

    “Trypanosomiasis is one of the parasitic diseases proptosis transmitted by the insect tsetse fly and the insect is present in Sub-Saharan Africa and it affects animals and humans. It causes sleeping sickness in humans. It is not an easy disease that can be treated as others.”