The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • Zamfara partners NGO on child development programmes

    Zamfara partners NGO on child development programmes

    The Zamfara Government has commended Save the Children International, an NGO, over its various child development programmes in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Women and Children, Hajiya Balkisu Bungudu, gave the commendation in Gusau on Monday at the inter-local government food demonstration competition organised by the NGO to commemorate the 2017 Nutrition Week in the state.

    The zamfara state government is partnering with the Save the Children International on child development, child protection and survival.

    Bungudu, represented by the Director, Women Development of the ministry, Hajiya Hafsatu Kakale, noted that the state government in partnership with the NGO have introduced various programmes on childcare and development.
    She said: “We have seen various achievements, especially in the areas of children education, health and nutrition.”

    “Several women, individuals, groups or societies across the state have benefited from the empowerment and child care development programmes, which have improved their level of awareness on child care, development and protection,’’ she said.

    She reiterated the state government commitment to continue partnering with any organisation, be it governmental and NGO, to improve the lives of women and children in the state.

    The Advocacy and Communication Coordinator of the NGO, Malam Isah Ibrahim, said the competition was part of the activities of the organisation to commemorate the 2017 Nutrition week.

    According to him, the programme was aimed to educating women on how to provide balance nutritional diet for their children.

    “We learn that most of our women, especially in the rural communities lack the knowledge on how to prepare good nutritional foods.”

    Ibrahim said the state and the organisation have been partnering since 2011 and had recorded various achievements towards improving the lives of people of the state, especially women and children.

    NAN

  • Gbenga Daniel says no plans to step down

    Gbenga Daniel says no plans to step down

    A national chairmanship aspirant of the PDP, Chief Gbenga Daniel, said on Monday in Lagos that he had no plan of stepping down for any of the other contenders.

    Reacting to speculations that he might be stepping down for Chief Olabode George, another aspirant for the position, Daniel said he had no intention of stepping down for anybody.

    Daniel is a former Governor of Ogun, while George served as a former national deputy chairman of the now opposition PDP.

    The zoning of the PDP’s chairmanship position to the South West, five major contenders are currently jostling for the position.

    The other contenders are Mr Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports.

    Daniel told reporters that although George was a respected leader of the PDP, he would not back down for the Lagos chief but would see the race to its logical conclusion.

    “All the aspirants for this position are my friends and competent people but I am the bridge builder and the best man for the job.

    “I will not step down for anyone because I did my consultations during our convention in Port Harcourt and I know so many leaders in Yorubaland who support me.

    “People contest for various reasons. Some people contest to enrich their curriculum vitae, some contest to get donations while some run to win.

    “It is not a do-or-die affair. It is an in-house contest and I’m running to win so as to bring my experiences to bear on the party and work on re-positioning the party,’’ Daniel said.

    According to him, with 2019 around the corner, the PDP cannot afford to make mistakes in choosing its leaders because it is germane to the rebuilding of the party.

    “PDP is spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria. The fragmentation in the party cuts across all political parties in Nigeria.

    “However, most of our members who defected to other parties left, due to the internal challenges within it.

    “The moment those who leave see a new leadership committed to fairness and justice, they will return’’ the former governor said.

    On the PDP’s zoning of the presidential slot to the North, Daniel described the decision as sacrosanct, noting that it was commonsense for the party to look for a candidate from the northern part of the country to square up with the APC.

    Speaking further, he debunked an alleged strife between him and Sen. Buruji Kashamu from Ogun, stating that they had no personal issues and that they had no quarrels.

    Daniel, however, expressed his support for the clamour for Nigeria to be restructured, arguing that the nation’s potential would be maximised when restructured.

    “We must begin to examine the system to give equal opportunities to all parts of the country,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • Kebbi procures drugs for pneumonia, diarrhoea

    Kebbi procures drugs for pneumonia, diarrhoea

    The Kebbi State Government has procured drugs for management of common ailments of malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and meningitis.

    The state Commissioner for Heath, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, said this on Monday in Birinin Kebbi that the drugs would soon be distributed to the 21 local government areas.

    Kambaza explained that the communities would be provided with basic health commodities needed for effective service delivery at the primary healthcare centres as contained in the national minimum service package by the state government.

    “These commodities include drugs for management of common ailments of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea, preposition drugs for meningitis, delivery beds, ante-natal care bed, baby beds, laboratory equipment, examination tables, screens and stretchers,” he said.

    Kambaza also explained that worldwide maternal and newborn mobility and mortality were associated with delays in decision making, reaching health facilities and delay in receiving adequate healthcare.

    He said the delays were being addressed by all stakeholders in the state to reduce the incidence of maternal and new-born deaths.

    NAN

  • Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    The Cross River Government on Monday launched the first phase of the nursery of one million cocoa seedlings in Akim/Osomba communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    Gov. Ben Ayade, who was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Cocoa Development, Mr Oscar Ofuka, said that the project was part of his administration’s efforts to make cocoa the largest revenue earner for the state.

    He said that the location of the cocoa nursery in Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) was to prove that cocoa could be cultivated in every area of the state.

    “Today is a great day for the people of Akim/Osomba communities; we want to prove to the world that Cross River is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria.

    “Cocoa is our heritage and with the ongoing cocoa revolution programme in Cross River, we have decided to look at every nook and cranny of the state to revive this age-long heritage.

    “Very soon, Cross River will not have to depend on allocations from the Federation Account to fund our projects because our cocoa can give us the much-needed revenue to do whatever we want,’’ he said.

    Ayade said that the state government, through its Department of Cocoa Development, had already acquired 300,000 hectares of land in the two communities for the project.

    “Right now, we have raised 800,000 seedlings nurseries and within the week, our one million target will be achieved for the first phase,’’ he said.

    The governor said that the cocoa seeds for the nursery were acquired from the Cocoa Research Institute, Ikom, adding that within three months, the seedlings would be due for planting.

    Ayade said that the cocoa estate, which would be large enough to accommodate a school and a hospital, would be provided with electricity, just as in other cocoa estates in Ikom and Etung local government areas of the state.

    He urged the people, especially the youths and women in the communities, to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in farming to make life more meaningful to them.

    In his goodwill message, Prof. Augustine Ogogo, the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, commended the state government for deciding to revive cocoa production in the state.

    He pledged that the faculty would be ready to partner with the state government by using the cocoa estate for its practical sessions for students.

    He stressed that agriculture was the most dependable revenue earner in the world, saying that the era of oil revenues was fast fading away.

    “Agriculture remains the most stable revenue earner today because the era of oil is almost over. I assure you that the faculty will partner with you and send our students here for practicals,’’ he said.

    The head of Akim/Osomba communities, Mr Boniface Offion, thanked the state government for the project and expressed the hope that it would be beneficial to the communities and the state in general.

    He pledged that the communities would fully support the government’s efforts to ensure the success of the project.

    NAN

  • Adamawa losses 100 domestic animals in two years

    Adamawa losses 100 domestic animals in two years

    The indiscriminate disposal of cellophane materials in Adamawa has resulted in the loss of no fewer than 100 domestic animals across the state in two yeras.

    from 2014 to 2016, Dr. Haruna Hamman, Director, Veterinary unit, Adamawa Ministry of Livestock, on Monday in Yola said that the domestic animals were lost from 2014 to 2016.

    He said they died after consuming the materials while searching for food, lamenting that that the habit of indiscriminate disposal of such waste was posing serious threat to animal lives, as well as the environment.

    Hamman said that the development was also threatening soil fertility in some parts of the state, and therefore called on the authorities concerned to take urgent measures to address the situation.

    He said that there was need for government to control the activities of sachet water and cellophane bags producers, to protect the environment from contaminants and other hazardous materials.

    Alhaji Muhammadu Jimeta, a butcher at the Yola Central Abattoir, told reporters that out of every 10 animals slaughtered, cellophane materials were found in the intestine of at least two of the animals.

    Mrs Aisha Iya, Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Environment, said government was disturbed by the indiscriminate use and disposal of cellophane and other hazardous wastes

    She said her ministry was doing its best to tackle the problem and would advise government on stern measures that needed to be taken to curb the menace.

    “The indiscriminate disposal of cellophane bags by majority of our citizens is posing a serious threat to our environment, as such, stern measures need to be taken to check the habit,” she said.

    She observed that the business of collection and disposal of wastes in the state were dominated by people that lacked adequate knowledge on the trade.

    Also speaking to reporter, Dr. Ahmadu Waziri, state Commissioner of Agriculture, said cellophane materials littering the environment were threatening soil fertility in the state.

    He therefore called on the authorities concerned to take urgent measures to protect the environment.

    In his contribution, Mr. Aminu Jolde, Head of Environmental Sanitation Unit, Yola North Local Government Council, said the major challenge confronting his unit was how to tackle the indiscriminate disposal of pure water sachets in the environment.

    Jolde stressed the need for state government to ban the use of cellophane materials in the state to protect human and animal lives, as well as the environment.

    NAN

  • EU pledges job creation support to Nigeria

    EU pledges job creation support to Nigeria

    The new EU envoy to Nigeria, Amb. Ketil Karlsen, has expressed the desire of the union to support the Nigerian government in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

    He said that creating employment opportunities for Nigerians would discourage them from embarking on dangerous trips to European countries.

    The EU’s pledge of assistance comes against the backdrop of the increasing rate of young Nigerians embarking on dangerous trips to European countries in a bid to secure better living conditions.

    Speaking In Lagos on Monday, Karlsen, who is the Head and Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the union was eager to support Nigeria to facilitate a better future for youths.

    “It is really heartbreaking to see many young Nigerian girls being trafficked and made to suffer so many difficulties.

    “It is natural that young people everywhere should look for job opportunities and better living conditions outside their countries.

    “But, I must say that the right way to do it is not to be allowed to expose themselves to dangers and different forms of abuses, while taking dangerous routes from their countries.

    “We would, therefore, want to see more efforts at creating sustainable job opportunities and better living conditions for these young Nigerians in Nigeria.’’

    He said the EU was prepared to support Nigeria on a long-term strategic planning for sensitising young Nigerians on the dangers of travelling illegally.

    Karlsen said that the EU was willing be part of any initiative by the Nigerian Government to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians in Nigeria.

    He argued that it was imperative to create better living conditions for young Nigerians to reduce their desperation for migration abroad.

    The envoy said that young Nigerians should not be allowed to continuously expose themselves to dangers and abuses in their bids to travel to Europe and other countries.

    “I think that we need to work together, create more investments and job opportunities for these young Nigerians in their communities.

    “We have to make these young Nigerians know that there are currently better opportunities for them in their country than abroad,’’ Karlsen said.

    NAN

  • Plateau CP warns new recruits against extortion, other crimes

    Plateau CP warns new recruits against extortion, other crimes

    The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Mr Udie Adie, has warned the new recruits posted to the state against extortion of money from the people or intimidating them.

    Adie who gave the warning on Monday in Jos during an induction lecture organised by the state Police Command for the constables warned them to steer clear any act of criminality.

    190 newly trained policemen who hail from Plateau have been posted to serve in the state.

    The police boss advised them to live within their means to enable them to avoid the temptation of indulging in unlawful acts in order to sustain their lifestyles.

    “You must learn to live within your means because by doing so the urge to get involved in criminal acts that mostly give the police a bad name will be curtailed.

    “I must specifically warn you to desist from extortion, intimidation, harassment and other criminal acts.

    “You will be sent to the communities not to harass or extort money from people, but to serve and ensure security of lives and properties,” he said.

    The commissioner added that any of them caught indulging in any crime would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Adie advised the constables to be disciplined, adding that the force would not spare anyone found disrespecting senior officers.

    He said that the 174 male and 16 female constables would be posted to various divisions across the state.

    NAN

  • Court docks man over cell phone theft

    Court docks man over cell phone theft

    A 29-year-old man, Akinola Emmanuel, was on Monday arraigned in an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Tecno W 4 cell phone.

    Emmanuel is facing a two-count charge on theft and break-in.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Ajayi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 30 at about 2:00 p.m., at Fan Milk Street, Ajegunle in Osogbo.

    Ajayi said the accused unlawful entered the apartment of one Ogunleye Aderinsola and stole a Tecno W4 mobile phone before he was tracked and arrested.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 412 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2003.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Mariam Oloyode, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

    Oloyode said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and with evidence of tax payments.

    He also ordered that the sureties must provide two passports photographs, attached with an affidavit of means.

    The case was adjourned until Nov. 2 for mentioned.

    NAN

  • Turkey docks 143 soldiers in failed coup

    Turkey docks 143 soldiers in failed coup

    One hundred and forty three former Turkish soldiers went on trial on Monday in Istanbul over their deadly clashes with civilians on a bridge on the night of a coup attempt in 2016, local media reported.

    Thirty-four people were killed on the bridge over the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul as clashes erupted between civilians and soldiers trying to seal off the bridge at the start of a coup bid by some in the military on July 15, 2016.

    A close friend of Turkish President Recep Erdogan was among the dead and 318 others were injured in the clashes on the Bosphorus Bridge, which was later renamed July 15 Martyrs Bridge by the government to honour the dead civilians, who resisted the plot.

    If convicted, the dismissed soldiers each will face aggravated life imprisonment over “murder and attempting to overthrow the parliament and government,” press reports said.

    Turkey believes that the coup attempt, in which 250 people were killed across the country, was orchestrated by the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen and his followers in the military.

    Turkey has been pushing for Gulen’s extradition, while a continuing crackdown has put more than 50,000 in prison and 150,000 others dismissed from their posts.

    NAN

  • FG urges holistic approach to tackle cancer

    FG urges holistic approach to tackle cancer

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has stressed the need for holistic approach to enhance early detection and proper management of cancer in the country.

    Adewole made the call in Enugu on Sunday at the first ‘Nationwide Go Pink Day Ball’, an event organised by a group called Breast Without Spot ( BWS ) to create awareness on cancer.

    The minister, represented by Dr David Atuwo, the National Cancer Control Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Health, said this had become necessary to reduce spread of the disease in the country.

    He pointed out that government alone could not handle it and solicited support of private organisations and well meaning Nigerians in fighting the scourge.

    In his remarks, the former Minster of Power and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said to manage the disease requires proactive measures from both government and private sector.

    Nebo noted that people were afraid to go for screening especially for breast and cervix “but early detection was the first step toward curing cancer.”

    The former minister commended the President of BWS, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, for organising the event to create awareness and pledged his support for the cause.

    The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, who declared the event open, described cancer as one of the greatest killer diseases in the world.

    Ezeilo, who said she lost her husband to prostate cancer, called for improved strategies for awareness against the scourge, regretting that efforts toward it were not yielding desired results.

    According to her, statistics has shown that cancer is one of the greatest killer diseases in the world, with breast cancer as the most common and accounting for 70 per cent mortality rate.

    The deputy governor, however, called for the establishment of cancer patients’ fund to assist people suffering from the illness.

    The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Episcopal Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, expressed worry at rising cases of the disease in the country.

    Chukwuma regretted that government at all levels were not doing enough to control the scourge, noting that it was the reason some people embarked on medical tourism abroad for treatment.

    “Why is cancer now prevalent in Nigeria? It is a disease that must be stamped out urgently,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the President of BWS and Consultant Radiologist, Prof. Okoye, said the initiative was to promote actions and policies that would ensure that Nigerian women were aware and practice best breast and cervical healthcare.

    Okoye stressed the need to break the fear of breastcancer by going for screening annually, adding that the disease could be cured if detected early.

    She appealed for support for its Breast Cancer Patient Treatment Intervention Fund to reduce the burden.

    The event featured experiences of some survivors and candle light for those who died of the scourge.

    NAN