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Tag: Nigeria newspapers

  • Trafficking: Kukah frowns at parents, tasks FG, states on responsibilities

    Trafficking: Kukah frowns at parents, tasks FG, states on responsibilities

    ‎Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese Monday urged parents to be responsible and humble in their children up bringing to avoid destroying the society.

    Accordingly, he challenged the Federal and state governments to ‎be responsive vanguard of ‘push factor’ against the increasing poverty, helplessness and wrong perception of the country as a war zone.

    He condemned in strong terms the poor state of situation in the country pointing out that” those leaders responsible‎ for managing our resources that eventually put us in this situation where we are today have not done justice and we will not hesitate to vehemently express our anger in form of prayers.”

    In the same vein, Kukah tasked the media and the judiciary to be alive to their responsibilities of creating awareness and justice to the people.

    Speaking in Sokoto while addressing members of St. Bakhitha of the Sokoto Diocese shortly after a road walk awareness campaign against human trafficking, Kukah noted that the future of Nigeria as a state belonged to the young people who should not be subjected to any form of abuse.

    “We have to collectively come together and do the needful. Our Churches and Mosques ‎members have to come in in the fight against trafficking, child labour and other forms of human abuses”, he called.

    He vehemently condemned attitude of some parents who ‎deliberately influence their children especially girls into making quick money.

    According ‎to him” some parents make comparison of their children with others and even castigate them that their mates are making it but they are busy watching television and eating without anything.”

    The Catholic Bishop, who further noted that most youths and young Nigerians were under pressure for self and parental reasons, said “we have to think of ourselves and future in building the path to achieve greatness ‎and be responsible agents against social vices.”

    He described the awareness move by the members as a call to attention on the evil associated with human trafficking.

    “It is devoid of any sentiment. We know that trafficking, child labour and abuse are a social disease ‎that cuts across our country.

    Also, the Sokoto Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Barrister Hamisu Tahir who thanked the St. Bakhitha initiative said the agency’s core strategy was to rescue and protect victims of trafficking and child labour.

    He said the agency which was established in 2003 also has the operational focus of its activities on provision of shelter‎, empowerment and holistic implementation of the general frame work that seeks to ensure the arrest, prosecution and conviction of offenders.

    Tahir who further called on all and sundry to join hands with the agency and other stakeholders against the menace said” we also re-unite victims with their families as well empower them so that they will further feel a secured.”

  • Buhari working hard to stop herdsmen crisis –  Enang

    Buhari working hard to stop herdsmen crisis –  Enang

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Eta Enang, has faulted claims in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari was not doing enough to end security challenges posed by herdsmen.

    He said Buhari was working very hard to permanently put an end to herdsmen crisis.

    Enang, who spoke at the weekend, while declaring the Bayelsa State office of the National Committee on Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) open along Sani Abacha Expressway, Yenagoa, said the President had shown enough commitment in tackling the herdsmen challenges.

    Enang also called on all political parties including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to support Buhari.

    He said: “I’m sure most of you listened to the security summit and heard what the President through the Vice-President said about the herdsmen crisis and what is being done to resolve the situation.

    “I pray that that should address all your fears that there is no effort by the Federal Government to colonise any part or take anybody’s land for any purpose because land in any state is vested in the governor of that state and not in the President”.

    Enang congratulated Bayelsa for producing the immediate past democratically elected President, a feat he said was made possible through the cooperation of the entire country.

    “We’re here to also ask Bayelsa State and the people of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and all political parties to give great support to the government of President Muhammad Buhari in his first term and the second coming in 2019 elections”, he said.

    The Presidential adviser said the Bayelsa office was inaugurated to build the confidence of all organisations and carry them along in all future projects of Buhari.

    Also speaking, the groups’ Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Abu Ibrahim, said the office would roll out women and youth development programmes for everybody despite their political affiliations.

    “It is wide open for everybody to benefit from and for development, it is open to every local government area in the state including non-indigenes. It is the local leadership that will handle the running, we have done our part by bringing the office”, he said.

    He said the office would be opened in all the state adding that Port Harcourt, Rivers State would be next after Bayelsa.

    Ibrahim said the administration of Buhari had done well in creating jobs for the youths through loans and other empowerment programmes.

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock 

    Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started around 11.a.m. as most heads of the security agencies arrived the seat of power before 11.a.m.

    The meeting is an enlarged one also involving agencies such as Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Fire Service.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report

    Details Later…

  • I’ve tremendous respect for the Catholic Church – Gov. Bello

    I’ve tremendous respect for the Catholic Church – Gov. Bello

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has expressed “tremendous respect for the Catholic Community”, saying he will not do anything to disparage any religious organization.

    The Governor, who stated this in Lokoja through his Director General of Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, said the reports in the media that he disrespected the Catholic Community and it’s leaders was “another low by his detractors in their desperation to portray him as an irresponsible leader”.

    “My statements to the Press were well documented. I was critical of corrupt leaders, who have been disconnected from the looting pipes.  These are the leaders who are launching campaign of calumny against Mr. President.

    “These categories of leaders belong to different faith and may attempt to mislead highly respected religious leaders into joining their antagonism towards the anti-corruption crusade of Mr. President. 2019 is a year of determination for our nation and I have no regret leading the charge for the re-election of Mr. President who had given hope to the hopeless in the society.”

    Governor Bello charged religious leaders to join the President’s fight against corruption, insisting that no good religion has a place for corruption and corrupt people.

    “The Catholic Church has done very well in promoting literacy and healthcare. I am quite familiar with a good number of Catholic Priests and I know their stance on the issue of corruption. Every church and religion must fight corruption because corruption oppresses the poor and destroy justice and fairness,” he said.

    The Governor urged the Media to uphold the tenets of objective reportage in order to promote peace and security in the country.

  • 302 Libya returnees graduate from Edo govt capacity building programme

    302 Libya returnees graduate from Edo govt capacity building programme

    To ease their re-integration into society, the Edo State Government has graduated 302 returnees from Libya from her capacity building and skills development programme.

    Chairperson, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, and Commissioner for Justice/ Attorney General in Edo State, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, at the ceremony to mark the end of the two-week vocational and technical training programme, said “the graduation marks the first step in preparing the returnees on the path to becoming successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

    The second batch of graduands from the programme were trained on beadmaking, make-up and basic sewing, and their graduation is coming few months after the first set of returnees were trained on agribusiness and provided with 150 hectares of land and 100 million start-up fund to ease their settling into society.

    According to Omorogbe, “163 of the returnees acquired skills in make-up; 92 in basic sewing, while 47 were trained in the art of beadmaking.”

    She charged the graduands to be ambassadors of Edo State and expressed delight at the success of the programme. She said the state government will assist returnees who have successfully acquired skills in different trades to enable them set-up small-scale businesses through which they can provide for themselves and employ others.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Edo State Governor on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Mr. Solomon Okoduwa said, “The graduation ceremony has further demonstrated the commitment and interest of the state government in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration in the state.”

    He added, “Mr. Godwin Obaseki has shown that he will keep his promise to assist the returnees and reintegrate them into the society by providing them with sustainable means of livelihood.”

    Okoduwa said that the graduands will be organised into co-operatives, which will enable them access credit facilities at zero-percent interest. He noted that “all the graduands will be required to register with the cooperative. Their progress will be monitored to see how they will put credits into good use. It will also help us breed entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

    A bank manager, who is also one of the facilitators, Mr. Michael Adetola, urged the returnees to apply financial discipline as they set up their businesses, stressing, “Financial discipline plays important role in managing small businesses. Without it, one makes wrong decisions, which account for the failure of most small businesses.

  • Edo govt to construct 25 new roads

    Edo govt to construct 25 new roads

    The Edo State Government has earmarked 25 new roads for construction across the state in the coming weeks, as it intensifies efforts to deliver projects that will transform the socio-economic landscape of the state.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., disclosed this during a chat with journalists, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said, “The state government led by Godwin Obaseki will deliver on its mandate to transform infrastructure across the state. In the coming weeks, 25 new roads have been earmarked for construction, by the state government.”

    He added that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has provided leadership capable of transforming the state into an economic hub.

    “The governor knows how to pull resources for the benefit of a great majority of Edo people. As an investment banker, he is someone who knows how to manage resources to drive socio-economic growth through infrastructural development.”

    On the forthcoming local council polls, Ogie said that he has no doubt that candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will all be elected, noting “with the effort made by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki in transforming the state, I am confident that Edo people will vote massively for APC candidates at the polls.”

    On security in the state, the SSG said the state government takes security of lives and property across the state seriously, which accounts for why it is considered as safest in the South-South region.

    “The increasing number of investors visiting the state is a pointer to the fact that the state has the best security arrangement in the region. Embassies have security reports from every part of the country for foreign investors. That they indicate interest to do business in Edo shows that our security report is favourable for investors.”

    He added that the state government will continue to improve on the security architecture and ensure investors get benefit from siting their companies in the state.

  • Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state Saturday moved against intermittent clashes between farmers in the state and Fulani herdsmen while insisting that no part of the state would be given for the purpose of cattle colony.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, the Governor initiated measures on how to maintain peace between farmers and herdsmen across the State by fully engaging the traditional rulers and leaders of Miyeti Allah in the area of sustaining the peace among the two groups.

    Uzor said the governor while addressing traditional rulers,  presidents of town union and other stakeholders at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre,  Abakaliki used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s resolve to sustaining peace in all parts of the state which he believes is a panecea to achieving development.

    “Part of the statement read “the traditional rulers are not just custodians of culture and tradition but also part of peace building. They must ensure peace in their localities by first of all identifying the people living in their communities especially the herdsmen. No herdsman is allowed to graze their cattle in our lands and in an event of that,  the herdsmen pay the double value of crops damaged and  on repeat of such,  the herdsmen will be forced to leave the community.”

    “The cows are dear to the herdsmen same way the crops are dear to the our  farmers most especially our belief in sanctity of human life which has been wasted on some areas in the country”

    Umahi also made it clear that Ebonyi  State Government has no resources to embark on any ranching or Colony being an aggrerian state whose main stead is agriculture.

    “To ensure security and safety of our people and herdsmen who have lived peacefully with us all these years without problem and to ensure there is no infliteration of killer herdsmen from neighboring states and countries, traditional rulers are  to collate data on herdsmen operating in their communities across the state for easy identification and maintenance of peace. The data should  include herdsmen’s names,  location  and contact phone numbers of their leaders.”

    “Traditional rulers should hold constant meetings with the herdsmen so that they can Identify those from Niger Republic and other areas that foment trouble”

    The Governor further maintained that Ebonyi State being an aggrerian state with agriculture as its main stead,  the state will not welcome any cattle colony of any sort but shall in constant collaboration with relevant stakeholders and leaders of the herdsmen, renew efforts to maintain peace and security.

    “Governor Umahi is a member of the Presidential Committe headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to reconcile and ensure peace between the farmers and herdsmen across the country and he is doing everything within the armbit of the law to ensure peace in his own state as charity begins at home”

  • I’m unaware of my suspension from APC, says Usani

    I’m unaware of my suspension from APC, says Usani

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, Saturday said that he was not aware he has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Usani told reporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar where he was welcomed by supporters that they were in the process of rebuilding the party for a greater future.

    Speaking on the conflict within the party in the state, he said, “Every party has a fight and how you resolve it is what is important. My worry is within the limits of known partisan tradition and conflict. We are resolving it. When a resolution takes place, whether amicably or by victory, there important thing is that there is a resolution and we are resolving it.”

    A couple of weeks ago, the acting chairman of the party in the state, Mr John Ochalla, after a meeting of the state working committee, had announced Usani’s suspension, accusing the minister of working against the interest of the party by holding “illegal meetings” to install a new chairman to do his bidding.

    In a swift reaction, a faction of the party led by the State Organizing Secretary, Mr Ekpe Owan Ayang, had held a meeting, where they declared Usani’s suspension as null.

    They went ahead to announce the suspension of Mr Ochalla as well as the National Vice Chairman South-South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, from the party.

    In a meeting held at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday, they had gone ahead to endorse, Mr Etim John, as the new acting chairman of the party in the state.

    They said their endorsement followed the decision by a meeting by elders of the party that Etim John, takes over as acting chairman.

    But a statement from the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Bolaji Abdulahi, had countered the endorsement saying Ochalla remained and members involved in the appointment of a new acting chairman would be disciplined.

    But reacting to this, Mr Etim John, who arrived Calabar with Usani said the statement from the National was a misnomer.

    “Ochalla is not from the zone where the former chairman comes from and so he was not qualified to be an acting state chairman, but because a vacuum cannot be left, so he as a deputy chairman held brief.

    “That statement as far as I am concerned is a misnomer. The party guidelines stipulate clearly how and acting chairman is appointed. As far is this concerned, Ochalla is yet to be appointed or elected because he only came in to hold brief,” John said.

    Ochalla had taken over as acting chairman of the party, after Usani, who was the chairman, was appointed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

  • Late arrival of election materials may mar Kano LG polls

    Late arrival of election materials may mar Kano LG polls

    Late arrival of election materials may mar the local government elections in Kano state.

    Our Correspondent who went round some of the polling units in the metropolis, reports that as at 10 a.m, the materials had yet to arrive at the units.

    At a polling unit in Magwan Special primary school, the election officers were met sitting down waiting for the arrival of the materials.

    One of the Electoral officers, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, told NAN that the State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) had directed them to go to polling units and wait.

    According to him, they were told to wait for the materials  which would be taken to the units by the Commission.

    “We are asked to come and wait because most of the Electoral officers have no personal vehicles to transport transport the materials, “ the official said.

    However, it was observed that there was adequate security at the polling centres as no fewer than five policemen were also seen at most of the polling centres visited.

    The story was the same at Rimin Gata primary school polling units 014 and 015 and BUK new site polling units 01, 02 and 03 as the materials had yet to arrive as at 10:30 am.

    NAN also reports that no electoral officers were present at the polling units while voters who converged on polling units were waiting for the arrival of the materials and the electoral officers.

    However, an agent of All Progressives Congress (APC), who  gave his name as Arabi Lawal, told NAN at Rimin Gata primary school that the materials were on their way to the polling units.

    Reports from other parts of the metropolis indicated that the story was the same as  the materials have  not reached most of the polling centres.
    NAN

  • Okocha, Oyedeji participate in Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

    Okocha, Oyedeji participate in Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

    The 3rd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon started on Saturday at 6.30 am with ex-sportsmen, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, a former Super Eagles Captain and Olumide Oyedeji, former national basketball team Captain, D’Tigers, commending the organisers for the initiative.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 42km race started at exactly 6.30 a.m. at the National Stadium in spite of an early morning rain in Surulere, the take-off point and some parts of the city.

    Okocha said that the event in which more than 100,000 participants are featuring, was a plus to the development of sports in the country.

    He noted that an event of its magnitude would always attract the world to the country.

    “This is big and massive as far as sports development is concern and I must commend the sponsors for their consistency.

    “I am here to support the event as well enjoy myself,’’ he said.

    Oyedeji said that such an event was vital to sports growth and the physical wellbeing of the participants.

    He added that the marathon at which over 208 dollars were on offer should be replicated in other parts of the country to engage youths.

    “The event is getting bigger every year and it is a good thing that we are witnessing it.

    “Apart from competing in the race, it has huge health benefits to the physical and wellbeing of those participating for fun.

    “Many youths are involved and it’s a way of engaging them,’’ he said.