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  • Tinubu inaugurates N1 billion TETFUND project in Bauchi University

    Tinubu inaugurates N1 billion TETFUND project in Bauchi University

    President Bola Tinubu on Friday inaugurated the Tertiary Education Tax Funds (TETFUND) N1 billion Central Library Complex with a seating capacity of 2,000 at Bauchi State University, Gadau.

    Represented by member House Committee on TETFUND and other services, Hon. Bappa Misau, Tinubu acknowledged TETFUND’s impact on various Bauchi State institutions, emphasising the significant strides made in the Nigerian tertiary education sector.

    According to him, apart from the Bauchi State University, Gadau, other public tertiary educational institutions in the State such as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, College of Education Azare, College of Education kangere have not been exempted from the giant strides recorded in the Nigerian tertiary educational.

    He said that TETFund had also sponsored 100 lecturers for Ph.D. in both foreign and local institutions totaling N955 million adding that 143 lecturers were also sponsored for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions totaling N359 million, among others.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Fatima Tahir, lauded TETFUND for the ‘milestone’ intervention, adding that the project would help in shaping the future of the institution.

    In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arc. Sonny Echono highlighted the N17.3 billion allocated for infrastructure-related interventions at the university since 2012.

    Represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, TETFUND, Mr Olajide Babatunde, the Executive Secretary, assured of continued support to enhance global competitiveness.

    “From 2012 to date, TETFUND has allocated the sum of N17.3 billion for infrastructure-related interventions only, cutting across the Annual, Special High Impact and Zonal interventions, amongst others,” Echono disclosed.

    “With about 97% funds already accessed, we note with delight that these funds are being deployed judiciously in the provision of requisite facilities, which are obviously seen in various locations on the campus here,” he said.

  • WaterAid rolls out $250, 000 project to improve public health in Bwari

    WaterAid rolls out $250, 000 project to improve public health in Bwari

    An international non-governmental organisation, WaterAid Nigeria has rolled out a $250, 000 to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services in the Bwari area council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The project, which is supported by The Church of Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), is expected to reach over 1,500 people with basic services.

    Speaking during the launch of the project in Abuja, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere said the project would be implemented within the next 12 months.

    Mere, who was represented by the Head, Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Kolawole Banwo, said WaterAid, in collaboration with the FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Bwari Area Council and the government intends to achieve this through systems strengthening to create the enabling environment that ensures sustainability, the construction, rehabilitation and upgrade of gender inclusive water and sanitation facilities in one PHC.

    She said: “WaterAid Nigeria with funding support of $250,000 from The Church of Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) is launching a project targeted at improving public health in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    “The project will be implemented through the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as education on infection, prevention and control for improved health services in primary healthcare centres. The project is expected to reach over 1,500 people with these basic services.”

    “The 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping Survey (WASHNORMS) reveal that only 9% of healthcare facilities in Abuja have access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

    “While findings from a 2022 WASH Situation Assessment in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) conducted in the six area councils of the FCT by WaterAid Nigeria revealed that, more than 67% of the PHCs assessed (including Bwari area council) did not meet the WASH requirements outlined in the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) Technical Guide for WASH services in public health facilities.”

  • Nigeria CG calls for unity, peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in Bamenda

    Nigeria CG calls for unity, peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in Bamenda

    The Nigeria Consul General to the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon, Ambassador Lawal Bappah, mni, has called for a peaceful and harmonious relationship between Nigerians and Cameroonians in Bamenda, during a courtesy call on the Northwest Regional Governor, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique recently.

    Ambassador Lawal Bappuh indicated that the prevailing insecurity in the Northwest region is a huge concern to the Consulate in Buea and it is preoccupying the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “It’s a huge challenge to the two friendly countries. The peace we need in Cameroon is the peace we also need in Nigeria. When there is no peace in Cameroon, definitely there will be no peace in Nigeria,” he told the media.

    The Nigerian Consul General emphasized that authorities in Abuja and Yaoundé would continue to explore areas of collaboration to restore normalcy. “We must find a lasting solution to what is happening,” he noted.

    The Nigerian CG has also cautioned the newly elected executive members of the Bamenda Chapter of the Nigerian Union to live harmoniously and respect the laws of Cameroon. The call was made during the official installation of the executive recently in Bamenda. The installation ceremony was chaired by the Consul General of Nigeria for the South West and North West Region, Ambassador Lawal Bappah.

    Present on the side of Cameroon was the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, who represented the Governor of the North West Region, Divisional Officer, DO, of Bamenda II and HRH the Fon of Mekong.

    Before presenting the newly elected executive to the Nigerian community in Bamenda on Sunday, the Consul General had earlier presented them to Governor Adolphe Lele L’afrique where discussions were centered on peaceful coexistence and addressing the insecurity that is plaguing some parts of the region.

    During the event, authorities urged the Nigerian community in Bamenda to make sure that they conduct themselves well, be peaceful and not be involved in any illegal activity. “My strong message to them is to respect the laws of the Republic of Cameroon. This is a very challenging environment; so I ask them to continue conducting themselves very well. Since it’s a border community, Nigerians should avoid getting involved in illegal activities because doing so will attract the wrath of the law,” Ambassador Lawal Bappah said.

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    The Consul General also called on his compatriots to focus only on their businesses, stay neutral and not be involved in the domestic politics of Cameroon. Bappah enjoined the newly installed executive to follow in the footsteps of the previous executive, who maintained peace amongst the community members during their term in office.

    In his remarks at the occassion, the SDO of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, also tasked the executive to work closely with local authorities in Bamenda. He called on them to ensure reconciliation among all Nigerians in Bamenda and ensure they have their valid residence permits.

    The newly installed President of the Bamenda Chapter of the Nigerian Union, Nze Clifford Edozie, said the entire executive is going to follow all the advices. Nze Clifford, while commenting on their projects, revealed that the union has a project to build a community hall for the Nigerians in Bamenda. “May be by March or April 2024, we will lay the foundation and start building a hall for our own, so that we may not continue to pay rent during our events,” Nze Clifford said. The newly installed executives revealed that they will embark on uniting all the Nigerians in Bamenda under one union. He regretted the fact that the over seven-year armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon has forced many of his people to migrate to other regions.

    The Secretary General of the union, Chukwu Humphrey, in his speech, pleaded with the newly installed chairman and his executive to support Nigerians who do business.  According to him, security forces have been extorting huge sums of money from them. Chukwu also begged Ambassador Lawal Bappah to help the union in repatriating stranded Nigerians.

    He added that this is becoming a difficult task for them. The occasion also saw Ambassador Lawal Bappah decorated in the famous North-West traditional regalia “Togho’ by the Nigerian traditional council in Bamenda.

  • Countries making strides in reducing road traffic deaths, WHO report reveals

    Countries making strides in reducing road traffic deaths, WHO report reveals

    The latest WHO global status report on road safety 2023 shows that, since 2010, road traffic deaths have fallen by 5% to 1.19 million annually.

    Road traffic deaths have reduced by five percent to 1.19 million since 2010, the latest WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 has revealed.

    According to the report, more than half of all United Nations Member States, including low-income countries, reported a reduction in deaths and fatalities on road despite the increase in motor-vehicle fleet more than doubling, expanding road networks, and increase in global population.

    Among UN Member States, 108 countries reported a drop in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021 while ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50 per cent while 35 more countries made notable progress in reducing deaths by 30% to 50%.

    The countries that have been able to reduce road traffic deaths by 50 per cent include Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

    The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the launching of the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 said that the road crash deaths seem to be reducing downwards but there is need for more action to be done to make the reduction faster.

    He pointed out that the decline in deaths still falls far short of what is needed to meet the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 with the target of halving road traffic deaths by 2030 stating that far more needs to be done to put in place mobility for people, not cars.

    “The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough. The carnage on our roads is preventable. We call on all countries to put people rather than cars at the center of their transport systems, and ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users,” he said.

    The report shows that 28 percent of global road traffic deaths occurred in the WHO South-East Asia Region, 25 per cent in the Western Pacific Region, 19 per cent in the African Region, 12 per cent in the Region of the Americas, 11 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 5 per cent in the European Region.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    Road traffic deaths and injuries remain a major global health and development challenge as road crashes remain the leading killer of children and youth aged 5–29 years, and the 12th leading cause of death when all ages are considered.

    The report further showed that two-thirds of the 1.19 million road fatalities occur among people of working age, causing huge health, social and economic harm throughout societies while nine in 10 deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

    More than half of the recorded fatalities occur among pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other powered two- and three-wheel vehicle riders.

    The report further reveals the lack of progress in advancing laws and safety standards as it reflected that only six countries have laws that meet WHO best practice for all risk factors which include speeding, drink–driving, and use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts and child restraints.

  • Defamation: Benue Govt threatens newspaper with N5b libel suit

    Defamation: Benue Govt threatens newspaper with N5b libel suit

    The Benue State government has demanded a retraction, an apology and N5billion as compensation from the publishers of New Telegraph, over a defamatory publication on the person of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

    It may be recalled that the online edition of the New Telegraph had on Monday, December 11th, 2023, published a story with the caption ‘2027: Alia Joins Forces With Rotimi Amaechi – …Donates Lexus LX 600 SUV To Former Transportation Minister.’

    In a petition filed to the publishers of the newspaper, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Benue State, F.B. Mnyim, described the said publication as false and fabricated, insisting that it was done to demean the character of the governor and to paint him in bad light in the estimation of the citizens of Benue.

    Mnyim added that the defamatory story has made the governor to appear as someone who is insensitive to the plights of the Benue people and party men who supported and voted him into office as the governor of Benue State on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    Also in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hycinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, and made available to The Nation on Thursday, he said, “The publication made available online portrayed the governor as unprofessional, unprincipled, unethical, and dishonorable, unreasonable and prejudiced public officer who is insensitive, indifferent, and apathetic to the plight of the Benue people and party men who supported and voted him into office as the governor of Benue State on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).”

    According to him, it was done in total disregard for the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists and is injurious to the person of the governor and the government of the state, especially as the governor is someone who is seen as a noble man of sound character, who commands respect in his spheres of influence, among the citizens of Benue State and the general public.

    He called for the withdrawal of the publication, accompanied by a clear and unqualified apology published in the newspaper within the next 24 hours as well as N5billion as compensation for the injurious publication, of which failure to do so will attract a court action.

  • Education tops Taraba governor’s N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    Education tops Taraba governor’s N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, on Friday presented to the House of Assembly the 2024 budget of N311, 388, 525, 661.96.

    A breakdown of the appropriation bill, titled: “Budget of Moving Forward,” N111,669,595,358.59 is for recurrent expenditure representing 39.5% while N199,708,930,303.37 is for capital expenditure representing 64.1% of the budget.

    Based on the sectoral allocation, education has the highest share of N43,208,278,849.28 representing 13.9% of the budget.

    Health follows with an allocation of N33,54,686,848.00k representing 10.6% and works which were allocated N24,804,232,263.17 representing 8.0% of the budget.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    The governor said the budget was anchored on the five-finger agenda of his administration which include: education, security, women/youth development, infrastructure and health.

    He explained that the budget will place specific focus on education including teacher training, improvement of schools and so on.

    According to Kefas, 5% of the budget will be allocated to the Greening Taraba Project in order to preserve the natural beauty of the State and mitigate the effect of climate change.

    Speaker of the House, John Kizito Bonzena, acknowledged the good working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the State.

    He assured of a speedy passage of the budget in order to keep up with the January-December timeframe.

  • Electricity Act 2023: Nasarawa partners NOMAP to enhancepower, sustainability agenda

    Electricity Act 2023: Nasarawa partners NOMAP to enhancepower, sustainability agenda

    Nasarawa State Government has entered into collaboration with the Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (NOMAP) to enhance its power and sustainability agenda.

    The collaboration was formalised yesterday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and NOMAP carried out by the state’s one-stop shop for investment, the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) with the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAEPA) as the technical lead.

    The Managing Director of the Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi while giving his remarks said the partnership is a step towards bringing the Nasarawa vision of becoming amongst the top three most competitive economies in Nigeria to actualisation.

    As the haven for mini off-grid projects in Nigeria, Ibrahim added that the support from NOMAP will further strengthen the offering of the state, improve the business environment, offer certainty to prospective investors as well as deliver tangible benefits to hard-to-reach communities.

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    “The collaboration with NOMAP provides an opportunity to enhance our state’s off-grid energy landscape, attract investment, and promote sustainable development.

    “We are excited about the prospects of this project, and welcome all players within the electricity value chain to prepare and engage,” Ibrahim added.

    The program will support the Nasarawa State government with the development of the Nasarawa Off-Grid energy policy, build capacity for relevant state government institutions, support in implementation of the policy, and facilitate further private sector and development partner support for Off-Grid clean energy projects in the State.

    NOMAP which is supported by Shell Foundation, UKaid and USAID is primarily aimed at tackling the barriers limiting the growth of the off-grid energy sector in Nigeria and to promote the creation of a favorable environment for clean energy such as off-grid solar solutions especially in the rural areas.

  • Evangelist backs Israel’s war against Hamas

    Evangelist backs Israel’s war against Hamas

    Evang. Hon. Mati Acka, the Interim National Coordinator for the Christians United For Israel (CUFI), Prayer Outreach, Nigeria, led a three-man CUFI delegation to pay solidarity with Israel in the heat of the continued Hamas hostility against Israel.

    Reassuring the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador, Micheal Freeman of CUFI’s unflinching solidarity, Evangelist Mati Acka said that given divine antecedents contained in the scriptures dating back since the patriarch  Abraham’s call, God has maintained his covenant to bless, prosper and keep Israel for Himself and would grant her astounding victory even this time around as he had always done.

    Evang. Hon. Acka called on authorities and people of good conscience across the globe to unite in pressuring Hamas to release the remaining hostages immediately if possible before Christmas.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    In his response, Freeman thanked CUFI America and Nigeria for their ever constant stand with the state of Israel, and encouraged CUFI delegation and the Christian community in Nigeria in addition to fervent prayers, to continue in their show of practical solidarity with Israel.

    Ambassador Freeman lamented the hardships and trauma brought upon both hostages and other innocent Palestinians in Gaza due to Hamas brutality and callous nature against humanity and invoked God’s intervention in the matter.

  • SEMA seek partnership with FRSC on disaster management ahead of Yuletide

    SEMA seek partnership with FRSC on disaster management ahead of Yuletide

    The Executive Secretary of State Management Agency (SEMA) Sir James Aonodoakaa Iorpuu has hinted of plans to partner with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to prevent road disasters during the Christmas season.

    Iorpuu spoke while on an advocacy visit to the Benue State Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Steve Ayodele in Makurdi, Benue state capital.

    Justifying the need for the partnership, Iorpuu said, “The primary role of SEMA is to educate and inform the public on disaster prevention and control, as such this visit was to seek collaboration with FRSC.

    “I’m here to see how we can collaborate between your office (FRSC) and Benue Emergency Management Agency, in promoting road safety awareness during this Christmas season.”

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    The SEMA boss added that “our aim is to engage you in meaningful discussion on effective strategies for sensitising the public, particularly motorists, on adhering to traffic rules, and promoting safety on the roads.”

    Responding, the Benue state Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Steve Ayodele, who was with his management team, assured the SEMA boss of collaboration during the yuletide saying there will be a standby 24 hours ambulance service provided by the command, including a standby rescue team.

  • Residents trapped as family seals Lagos estate over court order

    Residents trapped as family seals Lagos estate over court order

    Hundreds of residents and landlords were thrown into confusion on Friday morning following the invasion of Famade Estate in the Ojokoro area of Lagos by hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers and policemen.

    It was said that the policemen claimed they were attached to the office of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Ojokoro Divisional headquarters.

    It was said that the policemen accompanied the youths numbering over 300 to lock the entrance gates of the estate in a bid to enforce a purported recent court judgment which they claimed gave one Shekoni Family  the ownership of the land on which the estate was built.

    Residents said a notice which reads” possession taken by court order today 15/12/2023 ” has been posted on several houses in the estate.

    The notice urged embattled residents to contact Mr. Rasaki Shekoni for further inquiries on his mobile phone number written on the notice.

    The hoodlums were said to have brutalized two persons who challenged them for harassing innocent residents amid the siege on  the estate.

    One of the men brutalized is Bayo Famade, one of the siblings who inherited the estate land from their father.

    Shekoni, however said in a telephone conversation with our reporter that he did not shut the entire estate, whn he went there to take possession of the estate.

    He said the pedestrian gates were left unlocked to allow for free movement of the residents.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    He said: ” We only went to the estate to take possession following  court judgment that gave my family ownership of the estate land after about 30 years of legal tussle in court.

    ”The pedestrian gates were not locked at all so that residents can move in and out. Only the major entrance gate were locked and we did not beat up anyone.”   

    However, Segun Famade said Shekoni lied saying that the pedestrian gates were not open for residents to move in and out of the estate.

    ”My younger brother, Bayo Famade was beaten up by the hoodlums led by Shekoni while the policemen did not do anything to save him. As we speak, my brother is in sever pains following te brutality.

    ”Also, Shekoni lied that the pedestrians gates were not locked. He actually supervised the sealing of all entrances to our estate including the pedestrian gates..

    ”Our family is not a party in the suit he purportedly got a judgment that he is using to secure possession of our property,” he added.

    Contacted, the spokesman of the Lagos Police Command, Mr. .Benjamin Hundeyin promised to revert to our reporter. He was however unable to do so at press time.