The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Camp

  • Centre wraps up STEAM camp

    Centre wraps up STEAM camp

    The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), has ended its 16th edition of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) camp—She Creates Camp— with a graduation ceremony on Saturday.

    The residential summer camp,   which held from August 6 to 19, in Lagos, had 24 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 in attendance.

     The camp featured workshops on  Artificial Intelligence, Electronics, Software Innovation, Hands-on Projects, Team building, Career-talk sessions, Excursions, Entrepreneurial Skills, and numerous co-curricula activities such as Financial Literacy, Arts and Crafts, Self-Defence, Public Speaking, Emotional Intelligence, Gender and Leadership, among others.

     The girls also participated in career talk sessions, team-building exercises and excursions to CUMMINS West Africa and Microsoft ADC Lagos. The career sessions included panels on leading women in innovative ICT and business.

    Read Also: Many feared dead, other trapped as storey building collapses in Abuja

     According to the Executive Director of Wtec, Oreoluwa Lesi, the long-term goal of the camp, is to increase the number of Nigerian women and girls working in STEAM fields, as well as increase the number of girls and women using and creating technology for learning, professional, and leadership activities.

     Prizes were given out to outstanding participants for both group efforts and individual projects. Miss Tamilore Paul Taiwo emerged the overall winner.

     A participant, Adaobi Obi, said “W.Tec is an amazing organisation that has helped millions of girls discover themselves and share their life experience. The She Creates camp is one of the avenues in which W.Tec uses to enrich the young girls to be prepared for the future.”

     Another participant, Nkenna Okoro, who was part of the team that constructed an automated pump with a censor that senses signal, noted that participating in the project exposed her to the benefits of producing germ-free pump.

  • Flood: No food, mosquito nets, health facilities in Makurdi IDP camp

    Flood: No food, mosquito nets, health facilities in Makurdi IDP camp

    Mr James Iorhuna, manager of the camp hosting persons displaced by the Makurdi flood, has decried the poor state of social and medical facilities at the camp.

    Manager told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi that the camp, located at the Makurdi International Market, was “not habitable”.

    “Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) faced with health challenges have no place for medical attention; with 450 households already registered here, there is an urgent need for more facilities,” he said.

    The manager particularly regretted that the camp had no food, mosquito nets, health facilities, mattresses and other essentials that could guarantee minimum comfort for the flood victims.

    “The IDPs have nothing to eat. They are still waiting for the relief materials promised by government. For now, everyone is helpless,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Terwase Tarkende, an IDP, said that there was no facility “for the most minimum comfort”.

    Tarkende said that his son, James, who took ill two days ago had been starving and without any medical attention due to lack of funds.

    Another IDP, Mrs. Rosemary Audu, who is in the camp with her five children, complained of hunger.

    “We have not seen food since we arrived the camp,” she said.

    She appealed to the government to make immediate arrangements for feeding to avoid health complications arising from hunger. (NAN)

  • ‘IDPs to remain in camp till communities are safe’

    The Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) has said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still in camps because some of the communities they should return to are not safe.

    The IDPs will remain in camps until their communities become safe and habitable, the committee added.

    The committee’s Vice Chairman Tijjani Tumsah, spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said the committee will allow IDPs return to their communities “only when it has been certified safe for return”.

    His words: “Efforts are on to rebuild and restore homes of the IDPs, and they can only return when all those places are safe; the number of people returning to their communities is of course increasing.

    “As we have more military successes, people now move back to their homes. We have to continuously prepare to ensure that once they get back home, they are safe and can resume their livelihood.

    “Most of the people are farmers and farming resumption requires that you are safe. When you go to the farm, a lot of these areas are still not safe for that to happen; so they continue to stay in camps.”

    Tumsah hinted that the committee was considering creating new settlements in secured areas since the number of people returning to liberated communities was increasing.

  • One, big IDP camp

    Why does Hardball keep having this feeling that he is lost in one big, sprawling misery camp? Could it be the recent siege to the country by dare-devil kidnappers? For instance you never know which school will be struck next or whose children would be spirited away into the dank creeks.

    Could it be the rampaging rapists who pick on our toddlers, young and old women at will for ravishing? Who knows the tot to be defiled next or the fledgling damsel to be waylaid at the next lonely junction? Reports of abduction and rape abound so much these days that our daughters, sisters, aunties and even mothers seem like endangered species.

    Perhaps it’s the now deafening sabre rattling going on across the country from the north, south, east and west. All of a sudden, our primordial nature has been roused so precipitously in all corners of the country. The social media has suddenly become anti-social and dangerous.

    People you thought were your bosom friends had daggers tucked around their belts all these while and their smiles could have been like jackals baring their teeth. So much anger and hate messages suffuse the cyberspace that just one little spark somewhere might just ignite a huge conflagration.

    But beyond all these examples, the situation in the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in the northeast of Nigeria are the surest signposts that we all may well be displaced people. Or put differently, we are all in an entirely displaced entity. Is it perchance that since the internal ‘refugee’ crises started, there have been a running battle between the camp dwellers and Nigerians outside the camp over the relief materials meant for the displaced victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

    About two years ago, two policemen almost eliminated each other in a shoot-out after a misunderstanding in sharing stolen IDPs rice. Since then, the media have been awash with tales of recurrent diversion of IDPs supplies.

    Last week, the federal government had to write a formal letter of apology to the government of Saudi Arabia over the diversion of date fruits shipped to the IDPs in Nigeria by the middle-east country. It was reported that an Emir was behind this particular heist. And just this week, the presidency bemoaned the fact that no fewer than 50 out of every 100 trucks of grains meant for the IDPs camp missed their way.

    The good news however, is that an initiative known as Special Relief Intervention is now being implemented which has drastically curbed the menace. We pray this is for real for he who feeds off the ration of a beggar suffers a worse state of mendicancy.

  • Minister assures on completion of NYSC orientation camp

    ‘Without any doubt I believe that almost every person in this hall is a beneficiary of the NYSC scheme. The NYSC is one of the laudable projects established by past leadership of this country that has endured and continued to serve its purpose, for that I think we should be eternally grateful’

    In order to ameliorate the challenges being experienced at the FCT National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kubwa due to overstretched facilities, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is doing all that is necessary to make the permanent orientation camp habitable in no distant time.

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello disclosed this when the Director-General of the Corps paid him a courtesy call

    The Minister described the NYSC as a veritable instrument of nation-building that has benefitted the nation immensely by engendering unity and the spirit of selfless service among Nigerians.

    His words: “Without any doubt I believe that almost every person in this hall is a beneficiary of the NYSC scheme. The NYSC is one of the laudable projects established by past leadership of this country that has endured and continued to serve its purpose, for that I think we should be eternally grateful”.

    On the complaints about the congestion and the overstretched facilities at the Kubwa NYSC camp, the Minister said the FCT Administration has tried as much as possible to upgrade the facilities and make the camp habitable but lamented that the reality is that the facilities there are grossly over stretched and the ultimate solution is to move to the Permanent orientation Camp.

    According to a statement issued by the FCT, Chief Press Secretary, Cosmos Uzodinma, the minister said: ”There is no doubt that the Kubwa camp of the FCT NYSC obviously is now overstretched by a combination of factors: the urbanisation of Abuja itself is a factor because at the time when the camp was established it was considered to be out of town, very far and remote. But you can see now that the town has literally engulfed it. But more importantly the number of the NYSC Corps members has also increased beyond our imaginations”. The reality is that the facilities are grossly over stretched and there is nothing you can do. So ultimately the solution is for us to move to the Permanent orientation Camp”.

    Bello recalled that when he visited the FCT NYSC office about six weeks ago, he observed that the office space was not sufficient for the staff and therefore not conducive for the very important work they are doing.

    “From what I saw, I totally agree with you that the office is inadequate. So I think the best solution is to identify an office where you would be on your own and we would work and see if we can achieve that in 2017 or if not in the early part of next year”, the Minister said.

    The NYSC Director-General Brig. Gen. Suleiman Zakari Kazaure commended the FCT Administration for its commitment to providing a conducive environment for the NYSC.

    Kazaure thanked the Minister for the completion of the water reticulation project in the Kubwa camp as well as regular approval of fund for the feeding and welfare of corps members during camping among others.

    He appealed to the Minister for the allocation of a plot land to the agency for housing purposes to the staff as well as an official vehicle for its activities in the FCT.

     

  • No panic in Enyimba’s camp – Gata

    No panic in Enyimba’s camp – Gata

    Ismaila Gata has said there is no panic’ in Enyimba’s camp despite their poor form in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The seven-time topflight champions stretched their winless run to four games, after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

    The People’s Elephants now find themselves sitting in 13th position, three points above the relegation zone. But Gata believes that the squad has the quality to turn their fortunes around.

    “It is not nice to go four games on the bounce without a win and we have not played to the level that we are capable of, but there is no panic,” Gata told Goal.

    “We want to get back on a winning streak and the main thing is to look at ourselves and what we can do. We still have confidence in our own abilities.

    “I still believe that we have a great squad and that we can beat any side in this division when we are at our best.”

    The People’s Elephants will be eyeing a return to winning ways when they host MFM FC on Matchday 13.

  • 16 arrested as Navy raids proscribed merchant camp

    Operatives of the Navy at the weekend arrested four officials of a proscribed Merchant Navy (MN) and 12 trainees at a camp in Ijanikin, Lagos State.

    The suspects, who were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were apprehended at Oto Awori in Ijanikin on Lagos-Badagry Expressway by naval operatives attached to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Badagry.

    The suspects are: Commanding Officer Adewale Seun, Musa Masiru, Olabimi Bisola, Lukman Bello, Sunday Sule, Ilesanmi Quadri, Dauda Dogara and Beshel Godswill.

    Others are: Lieutenant Adeoye Busuyi, Awha Seyon, Monday James, Cecilia Okpa, Manmanse Foiter, Olowokere Babatunde and and Adebayo Blessing.

    They were said to be between 17 and 42 years old.

    The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Maurice Eno said Bello was arrested by some soldiers at Irekiti in Badagry while parading himself as a naval officer.

    But when the Navy was contacted to identify him, it was discovered he was an impostor, Eno said.

    After investigation, naval operatives at the FOB, led by Commodore Simon Dogo, stormed the training camp and arrested 15 others, including three women.

    Eno said the trainees were made to pay N30,000 fees, adding that the Navy had warned operators of the illegal agency to desist.

    He said: “The Federal Government has proscribed such agencies by Official Gazette Number 58, Volume 100, dated August 28, 2013. The Navy had severally warned its operators and advised parents to not take their children there. It is illegal for them to parade themselves as naval personnel.”

    Bisola said she paid N55,000 for training, forms and letter.

    She said: “I paid the money to a man called Godwin in Shagamu (Ogun State) and I was told the training would take place in Port Harcourt (Rivers State).

    “I and a few others met Godwin in Shagamu and boarded a bus en route Port Harcourt. But he detoured and told us that the training was in Lagos. He claimed that they found another base. We were supposed to spend six months but had only completed three months’ training before we were arrested by the Navy.

    “They told us to be patient, that the academy would be approved by the government before the completion of training. We have been deceived and are innocent. We fed ourselves but sometimes, our Commanding Officer gave us some money to feed. We had seven women and 29 men on training.”

    Denying that the agency was proscribed, Seun said his outfit was the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force.

    The suspect said the approval for the outfit was ongoing.

    He debunked the allegation of impersonation, saying they were not using Navy’s uniform or accoutrements.

    Seun said: “We’re not impersonating the Nigerian Navy; we are not using their property. I don’t see any reason why they should arrest us. In respect of the legal backing of our operations, it is only my boss, Commodore Agaba in Abuja, who can explain that.

    “We secure the coastal area and protect lives and property. We are waiting for the Federal Government to pronounce us as a registered body. Merchant Navy has been in existence since 1941. I am a sailor and I have worked in different ships before joining Merchant Navy.

    “I joined Merchant Navy’s Coastal Defence Force in 2002 and we started training people in 2007 under Commodore Edema. Currently, I have no salary except what I get on board of vessel every month. It is not true that the trainees pay N30,000. What they pay is N15,000 for three months’ training and for their feeding.”

    The Navy also handed over two suspected impostors – Ebube Dike and Isaac Utibe-Abasi – to NSCDC.

    They were arrested at Ilesan in Epe on January 2 and 5 for alleged possession of proscribed Navy camouflage in their custody.

    Ebube said: “I was arrested the first day I wore the uniform. I don’t know what went into my head to wear it. I am not a criminal and I don’t extort people. If I knew it was a navy uniform, I wouldn’t have worn it. I only went to buy drugs with it at a chemist shop.”

    Receiving the 18 suspects, NSCDC Commandant Tajudeen Balogun promised that they would be prosecuted at the conclusion of investigation.

  • Iheanacho hits camp today

    • Set to become a Nigeria legend at 20

    Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho will arrive the Super Eagles camp in Abuja  today, according to his father, James Iheanacho.

    With four goals in his last four matches for the national team, the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star will be hoping to enter the history books if he finds the net against Algeria.

    Kelechi Iheanacho’s run for Nigeria began on May 27 when he netted the winner against Mali after coming on as a substitute, then scored against Luxembourg four days later, and he followed this up with goals against Tanzania and Zambia.

    “Kelechi will be in Abuja tomorrow (Monday). He will definitely come for the match, ” said James Iheanacho to allnigeriasoccer.com.

    The 20-year-old replaced Sergio Aguero in the 90th minute in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Boro in the Premier League on Saturday, and will be fresh to face the Algerians on Saturday.

  • Suicide bomber killed at IDPs’ camp

    A male would-be suicide bomber was at the weekend killed at the Bakaasi Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Damboa, Borno State.

    According to Acting Director, Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman, the bomber, about 9 am yesterday, attempted to infiltrate troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed behind the camp. He was, however, shot by a sniper before he could detonate his Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

    Col. Usman said: “The vigilant sentry sighted the bomber and laid in wait until he came close. He instantly shot him as he tried to force his way to the western flank of the camp’s fence.

    “His IED vest did not detonate and a combined team of military and police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have been called to detonate the IED. The situation at the camp and the general area is calm.”

  • BATTLE OF UYO: Abuja camp picked to stop late comers

    • Decision to expose lying players over poor flight connections
    • Rohr moves to ‘cage’ randy Eagles in team’s hotel

    No-nonsense Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr hopes to check Super Eagles late comers and those who like to “misbehave” by insisting the team train in Abuja before they head off to a match venue.

    That is why the experienced Franco-German coach has fixed training camp in Abuja for next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Algeria even though it will be played in Uyo.

    Players have used poor flight connections to Uyo as reason why they have reported late in camp and that way stayed away from the limited number of trainings before a big game.

    Also, the big hotel in Uyo has made it very difficult for the players to be fully monitored by officials leading up to a match day.

    “Rohr has been far from impressed with some of the Super Eagles stars who have chosen to report late to camp citing the difficulty of connecting local flights to Uyo,” an official exclusively disclosed.

    “By having the squad all in Abuja now, they will all leave for Uyo as a group some days to a big game. There are always flight from Europe and locally to Abuja and so no one can use flight hitches as an excuse to come late to camp anymore.”

    Another top official informed that the team’s hotel in Abuja is a lot more compact as against the hotel in Uyo, which is big and sprawling and so gives room for the players to whatever they choose even before a big game. The hotel in Uyo is just too big for you to monitor what the players are up to at any given point in time, while that in Abuja you can easily check any misbehavior and excesses,” said the official.

    Rohr questioned the “lack of focus” of Leicester City star Ahmed Musa prior to the game in Zambia earlier this month when he drove into camp with an expensive new car.

    He subsequently dropped the Eagles assistant captain to the bench for the match in Ndola.

    The Eagles training camp will open on Sunday night, November 6, and training is slated to begin Monday morning.

    The squad will then fly out to Uyo on Thursday ahead of the showdown against Algeria on Saturday.