The Nation Newspaper

Tag: materials

  • NGOs donate materials to schools

    NGOs donate materials to schools

    Two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Rivers State have distributed free educational materials to public schools in Okarki, a rural community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (AWLGA), of the state.

    The Obuzor Vanguard and REFINE also staged a show for the female pupils of the beneficiary schools on “The danger of premarital sex and unwanted, early pregnancy.”

    The Schools that received the support were Government Secondary School and Model Primary School Okarki.

    Obuzor Vanguard Founder, Ikechukwu Obuzor, said the exercise was part of the groups’ efforts to advance learning in core rural communities in the state.

    He said the group had carried out similar outreaches in schools in other parts of the council in August.

    He said the gesture was a way of complimenting government’s efforts in education in the state.

    Obuzor told beneficiaries not to allow the fact that their school is located in a rural area affect their aspirations in life.

    “If you, pupils and students, of Okarki schools should study well and grow through sound parental care, the sky will not only be your limit but your stepping stone to greatness,” he said.

    He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials for self improvement.

    Reacting to the gesture, the Chairman, Care Taker Committee of AWLGA, Jerry Akuru, pledged his administration’s support to whatever would advance the council’s progress.

    The principal of Government Secondary School, Udeme John, and the head master of Model Primary School, Felix Green, both thanked the donors for their benevolence.

    They lamented that schools in rural areas suffer so much neglect from government. They however said the gesture would improve education standard of community dwellers.

  • Delta Assembly solicits relief materials for rainstorm victims

    Delta State House of Assembly yesterday passed a resolution urging the government to give relief materials to the victims of rainstorm at Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rainstorm destroyed over 50 houses and economic trees. Belongings worth millions of naira were destroyed.

    The resolution followed a motion calling on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to send relief materials to the victims.

    The motion was moved by the lawmaker representing Ukwuani, Dr. Alphonsus Ojo.

    He said the rainstorm, which occurred on November 17, destroyed property worth millions of naira, adding that more than 50 houses, including churches and poultry farms, were destroyed.

    Ojo said besides houses, poultry farms and churches, economic trees were also affected.

    The legislator, who cited Section 14, Sub- section 2b of the 1999 Constitution, said the security and welfare of the people were the responsibilities of the government.

    He stressed the need for the state and federal governments to assist the victims with relief materials.

    The lawmaker said the rainstorm affected electricity poles and cables, adding that the victims were displaced.

    He urged the government to send relief materials to the victims, to ameliorate their suffering.

    The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the House, was seconded by Mr. Dennis Omovie (Warri South II).

     

  • NGOs donate materials to rural schools

    Two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Rivers State have distributed free educational materials to public schools in Okarki, a rural community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (AWLGA), of the state.

    The Obuzor Vanguard and REFINE also staged a show for the female pupils of the beneficiary schools on “The danger of premarital sex and unwanted, early pregnancy.”

    The schools that received the support were Government Secondary School and Model Primary School, Okarki.

    Obuzor Vanguard Founder, Ikechukwu Obuzor, said the exercise was part of the groups’ efforts to advance learning in core rural communities in the state, said the.

    He said the group had carried out similar outreaches in schools in other parts of the council in August.

    He said the gesture was a way of complimenting government’s efforts in education in the state.

    He told beneficiaries not to allow the fact that their school is located in a rural area affect their aspirations in life.

    “If you (pupils and students) of Okarki schools should study well and grow through sound parental care, the sky will not only be your limit but your stepping stone to greatness,” he said.

    He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials for self improvement.

    Care Taker Committee of AWLGA  Chairman, Jerry Akuru, pledged his administration’s support to whatever would advance the council’s progress.

    The principal of Government Secondary School, Udeme John, and the head master of Model Primary School, Felix Green, both thanked the donors for their benevolence.

    They lamented that schools in rural areas suffer so much neglect from government. They however said the gesture would improve education standard of community dwellers.

  • NGO lifts four Ebonyi schools with materials

    To  promote science education, a non-governmental organisation(NGO), Breezbell Management International (BMI), has donated science equipment worth over N16million to four secondary schools in Ebonyi State.

    According to the NGO, the donation was powered by co-venturing partners in the OML 140 projects which include: Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited, Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Lukoil Oil Company and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

    The four benefiting schools are: Model Girls Secondary Schools Ohaukwu, Enyigba Comprehensive Secondary School Eketube, Community Secondary School Ndiagu and Amana, and Government Technical College, Abakaliki.

    The materials included desktop computers, white boards, books, instructional materials and other teaching aids.

    At the handing over of the equipment, BMI s Director Jane Coker, said the intervention was bornes out of the poor performance of students in the state in this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination(WASS2CE).

    “We carried out a research on education and discovered that Ebonyi State’ results from this year’s WASCCE was too low compared to other states. This is why we picked the state for the first phase of the project,” she said.

    Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited Chairman, Chief Reggie Uduhiri, hoped the intervention would translate to better performance of students from the state in their internal and external examinations, while also equipping them to be innovators and investors in future.

    He explained that the project was a testament to the unflinching resolve by the co-venturing partners to continually initiate projects in education, health care and economic empowerment in order to better the lives of Nigerians.

    Representatives of other firms that partnered in the donation expressed confidence that the provided items would add to the body of knowledge available to the students and adequately equip them to provide innovative solutions to the challenges they would encounter in their academic lives and beyond.

    As partners, they noted that the most important investment is in human development, especially in securing children’s future through sound education.

     

  • Expert canvasses use of quality materials in construction

    Expert canvasses use of quality materials in construction

    The Chief Operating Officer, Admiralty Homes Limited, Mr. Olaiwola Salami, has urged  Nigerians to use quality materials during construction.

    In an interview in Lagos, he harped on the need to patronise Nigerians who sell these materials to boost their business, adding that given the terrain and topography of some parts of the country, especially coastal areas, the use of substandard construction materials would lead to disaster.

    He noted that the rains affect residents, especially in Lekki and Ajah axis of Lagos State, where some buildings collapsed due to low quality materials used in construction.

    Salami urged Nigerians to patronise efficient property development firms who can deliver buildings that will stand the test of time.

    He cited  his firm as an indigenous outfit where quality materials are sold. “At Admiralty Homes, we are dedicated to providing our customers world-class buildings that will guarantee them rest of mind for decades to come. We use the best quality construction materials which will give them a solid apartment. This is what we are reputed for,” he said.

    He added: Admiralty Homes has in the last 12 years delivered world-class properties, including Imagine Estate, Alpha Bay Estate, Silicon Valley I, Silicon Valley 11 estates and Victory Park Estate in the Lekki/Ajah area and Banana Island Apartments as well as various developments in Ogun State, among others.

  • Dangote’s relief materials for vulnerable persons

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has received relief materials from the Dangote Foundation for distribution to vulnerable persons in the FCT.

    The Acting Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Adebola Irene Elegbede, received the relief materials on behalf of the Minister at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture.

    The items donated included  Dangote sugar, salt, spaghetti and 3,000 5kg bags of rice, among others.

    The Minister appreciated the kind gesture of the foundation, reiterating that the items would be judiciously distributed to the needy and vulnerable groups in the territory.

    According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, Bello noted that the gesture of goodwill and generosity extended by the foundation to the less privileged is a recognition of the efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to provide succour to the IDPs.

    He said, “We are ready to partner with well-meaning individuals or groups in order to provide meaningful living conditions to the vulnerable persons in the territory.”

    According to him, “we are deeply grateful to the Dangote Foundation for always setting the pace in these collaborative efforts,” and called on other organizations to emulate Dangote  oundation’s magnanimity”.

    The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would make judicious effort to ensure a widespread distribution of the donated items.

    He emphasised that the FCT administration respects any non-governmental organisation that is committed to uplifting the welfare of the people particularly the less privileged in the society.

    Malam Bello restated that the gifts to the vulnerable and displaced persons would definitely touch the lives of the downtrodden.

    While presenting the items, the Director of Health and Nutrition of the Dangote Foundation Dr. Azeez Oseni, who represented the Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote said that the items were meant to support the poor and indigent.

    He commended the Minister for according the delegation a warm reception; especially by providing standard storage facilities for the items.

    “The adequate plans put in place to receive the consignments including warehousing of the food items and logistics for distribution to the poor and indigent is highly commendable too,” Oseni said.

    The FCT administration has immediately started the distribution of the donated items to the vulnerable persons in the territory.

  • Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    The Delta House of Assembly has passed a resolution, urging Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to send relief materials to victims of rainstorm in Ekwuoma community.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Minority Leader, Mr Festus Okoh during the plenary session on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Okoh, who represents Ika South constituency, noted that the rainstorm which occurred at Ekwuma community in Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area destroyed crops and buildings.

    He said apart from buildings and farm crops that were destroyed by the heavy rainstorm, electricity poles were also pulled down as well as schools.

    “As I speak, no fewer than 20 persons who were injured by the rainstorm are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

    “And I want to use this medium to appeal to my colleagues to support this motion because it has to do with lives and properties,’’ he said.

    The motion which was unanimously adopted was seconded by Mr Tonye Timi representing Patani constituency.

    The Delta Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Chika Ossai,  has said the state will collaborate with stakeholders to reduce the impact of flood in the state.

    Ossai told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Wednesday that the government in conjunction with the local government councils and other stakeholders would collaborate to improve on last year’s lapses.

    According to him, following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency that there would be few cases of flooding across the country, “we are monitoring the state.

    “We have been putting measures in place to control it, especially now that it rains virtually every day.

    “Apart from the existing drainages, the state government is expanding drainages to ensure easy flow of water to the River Niger.

    “Along Okpanam Road in Asaba and other parts of Asaba, we are also collaborating with Oshimili South Local Government Council to improve on the drainage system in the state.

    “The Ministry of Environment has also commenced the clearing of drains and very soon government will start preparing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in some major towns of the state.

    “Already, we have a project going on and it is being constructed by the Federal Government flood committee.

    “By the Grace of God, we are working with the committee to ensure that the project is completed and put into use by our people,’’ he said.

    Ossai also said that the government had started its enlightenment campaigns on the need for those living in riverine areas to relocate to upland areas.

    “Our jingles are on air, we are using both local and social media to enlighten the people, especially those in the riverine areas to relocate to other areas.

    “In spite our warnings, most of the people in these areas, who are mostly fishermen, find it very difficult relocating to other places.

    “This is another major challenge we are facing, they hardly pull out except we apply force and right now, sensitisation is ongoing,’’ he said.

    Ossai said that one of the major challenges faced by the state in combating flooding was building of houses on waterways as well as blockade of drains.

    He said that the state was working towards enacting laws that would prohibit building on waterways.

  • Security: Fed Govt restricts radioactive materials 

    The Federal Government has placed restriction on the movement of radioactive materials into and outside the country.

    Movements of such materials are now restricted to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Director-General of the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) Prof. Lawrence Dim made the disclosure in an interview with reporters in Abuja at the weekend.

    According to him, the security measure was meant to prevent radioactive materials from getting into wrong hands.

    Prof. Dim said the government mandated institutions and agencies making use of radioactive materials for non-violent purposes to obtain approval from the NNRA.

    The NNRA boss added that the directive was meant to ensure the safety of Nigerians and ensure that those with no business with radioactive materials, did not obtain them.

    He warned that agency’s personnel have been collaborating with relevant security agencies to track unlawful dealings in such materials.

    Prof. Dim said: “To prevent possible abuse, the NNRA has made it a law that only one airport in Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, is approved for the importation and transportation of radioactive materials into and out of the country.

    “We need to replicate this in some other international airports, such as Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Abuja so that we can effectively monitor the movement of such materials.”

    The NNRA chief, however, said the agency had begun the process that would eventually lead to the use of nuclear technology to generate electricity in the country.

    According to him, the agency was in the process of developing a nuclear power programme so that nuclear electricity could be added to the country’s energy mix.

    “The project is on and it isn’t a project that can be completed at once. It may take up to 25 years to put this to use,” Prof. Dim added.

  • NLNG workers donate N30m materials to IDPs

    NLNG workers donate N30m materials to IDPs

    Staff of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), through the company’s ‘Let’s Care Initiative’, have donated relief materials worth over N30million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    This is in addition to the award of scholarships worth N10million per year for 10 pupils each in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states for five years.

    The initiative, established last July, is aimed at providing comfort and succour to the IDPs, as the Federal Government records success in addressing the insurgency and resettling displaced persons.

    The General Manager, External Relations Division, Kudo Eresia-Eke said over 100 NLNG staff volunteered to raise funds for the project.

    Distribution of relief materials was carried out in two phases last October and this month with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the States’ Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs), such as MUNA and Heeba Foundations.

    The camps they visited include ICCM Benin Camp, Edo State; Kabusa and Kuchingoro Camps in Abuja; Konduga, Mafa Road Muna Park and Gubio Road Housing Estate IDP camps in Bornu State; Damare, St Theresa and Malkoni camps in Adamawa State; and Bukar El-kanemi and Pampomari IDP camps in Yobe State.

    The sponsor of the initiative, Mr. Isa Inuwa, said:  “Let’s Care IDP initiative’ is about awareness and reaching out. It is underpinned by the concepts of gratitude and humanity in all of us.”

    He added: “What you see as the end results of the efforts, sacrifice and generosity of so many, are the truck-load of relief materials our staff take to the camps themselves to distribute. In addition to material contributions, the effort has created awareness about the plight of the IDPs who have been displaced for no fault of theirs.

    “We have witnessed an unprecedented demonstration of empathy and a deep sense of compassion towards humanity by many staff. Along with other well-meaning Nigerians, we must continue to give the IDPs hope that tomorrow is going to be better and get them back a normal and decent life.’’

  • Unilever donates relief materials to IDPs

    Unilever donates relief materials to IDPs

    Unilever Nigeria has donated relief materials to thousands in camps in the Northeast through various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

    Donating the items, the External Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Mr. Tomiwa Asaolu, noted the commitment of the company toward assisting displaced persons in the North East. “Unilever is supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in communities and IDP camps across Nigeria to provide urgently needed health and hygiene materials to those who are in dire need of it,” he said.

    “It is our goal to advance the lives of Nigerians by delivering brands that help improve the health and hygiene. We believe these materials we are donating will do just that here at the camps.”

    Asaolu also commended the efforts of NEMA officials, the NGOs and other humanitarian agencies who are working tirelessly to provide support for the displaced persons.

    ‘’We appreciate NEMA and all the NGOs we are currently working with, whose support and collaboration has made this project a success.”

    Some notable partner NGOs include; Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), National Centre for Women, Youths and Community Action (NACWYCA), amongst others.

    The Executive Director, NACWYCA, Mr. NawaniAboki, said: “We have received from Unilever Nigeria, items which include 7,028 cases of Camay soap, 8,433 cases of Camay Roll On, 8,433 cases of Camay Lotion, 2640 cases of Camay Spray and 1,176 cases of Camay Barsoap, which have been delivered to the leaders of the benefitting communities.

    “I assure you the items will be distributed to the IDPs as there will be a strict monitoring of the distribution by the NGO to ensure that the items reach the target beneficiaries,” he added.