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  • NYSC donates 10 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in Niger

    NYSC donates 10 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in Niger

    The National Youths Service Corps ( NYSC ) in Niger State, on Tuesday, presented 10 wheelchairs to 10 physically challenged persons in the State.

    The State’s NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Theresa Arokoyo, presented the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries selected from some of the local governments at the NYSC Secretariat in Minna.

    Arokoyo said that the scheme gave out four wheelchairs in 2017, and that the gesture was part of their corporate social responsibility to such persons.

    She said the donation was in conjunction with an NGO, Grace Project International, under its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers ( HIRD ).

    “This is indeed a direct reflection of the objectives of the NYSC scheme that addresses the most felt needs of host communities.

    “This is achieved through its Community Development Service Initiative with relevant developmental partners like the Grace Projects International.

    “It is our sincere hope, that these wheelchairs will ease the daily endeavours of the beneficiaries,” she added.

    According to her, the beneficiaries were drawn from Chachanga, Bosso, Paikoro, Lavun, Wushishi and Shiroro Local Governments Areas of the state after careful selection.

    She assured of more support and assistance to host communities, saying the NYSC will always be alive to its responsibilities.

    She appealed to the beneficiaries to make proper use of the wheelchairs as it would reduce the challenges they face in terms of their movements.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Jamila Ibrahim commended the NYSC for identifying with them, adding that the wheelchairs will go a long way in improving their lives.

    She prayed God to grant the scheme the enablement to reach out to more people like them.

    “I am grateful to the NYSC for the kind gesture. I pray God to grant the scheme the grace to assist more people,”he added.

    NAN

  • Over 1.5m stunted children in South-West, Edo – UNICEF

    Over 1.5m stunted children in South-West, Edo – UNICEF

    United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) says over 1.5 million children under five years in the South-West and Edo needs urgent intervention to address their stunted growth.

    Mrs Ada Ezeogu, the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Akure Field Office, made this known at a two-day media interaction on child nutrition in the South-West.
    The forum was organised by the Ogun Ministry of Information and Strategy in collaboration with UNICEF on Tuesday in Ibadan.
    According to her, an estimated 17 million or 43.6 per cent of children in Nigeria under the age of five have their bodies and minds limited by stunting.

    She pointed out that in the South-West, Ogun has the highest incidence with 26.1 per cent or 277,462 children.

    The nutrition specialist described stunting as a “manifestation of the severe, irreversible physical and cognitive damage” caused by chronic malnutrition early in a child which is one of the most significant barriers to human development.

    She identified the challenges faced by the affected states as absence of policy on adolescent nutrition, shortage or lack of maternity leave, non-enforcement of the code of marketing of breast milk substitutes, and lack of workplace protection and support for nursing mothers.

    The Ogun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Dayo Adeneye, emphasised the need to intensify effort to reduce stunting through proper nutrition, especially now that Nigeria was at a critical stage of malnutrition.

    According to him, proper nutrition is germane to human growth, adding that a well-nurtured generation will contribute meaningfully to the development of its society.

    “It is quite alarming to note that a large percentage of the young children in Nigeria is either undernourished or micro-nutrient deficient, while some even suffer from over-nourishment, otherwise called obesity.

    “We cannot continue to fold our hands and stand aloof with such issues staring us in the face, most especially, when those affected are the vulnerable in society.

    “These are under five, who have no voice and are definitely looking up to us to proffer solutions to their plights,” he said.

    Adeneye noted that the Overview of National Nutritional Level indicates that 80 per cent of the world’s stunted children live in 14 countries, saying Nigeria has the second highest burden of stunting after India.

    NAN

  • NACETEM trains researchers to attain innovation driven economy

    NACETEM trains researchers to attain innovation driven economy

    The National Centre for Technology Management ( NACETEM ) says it is committed to the attainment of an innovation driven economy to enhance national development through capacity building of it researchers.

    Mr Isaac Oluyi, Public Relations Officer, NACETEM, who made the assertion in a statement, noted that the organisation had organised retreat for all its researchers to widen their horizon.

    According to him, a four-day retreat was recently held in Akure to enhance the capacity of the researchers to deploy science, technology and innovation in solving present day issues.

    Also, Director-General of NACETEM, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma said in a remark at the retreat that the difference between developed and developing countries was knowledge-related gap, particularly for scientific and technological development.

    He said if the current knowledge gap was allowed to widen, the discontent of some parts of the world would eventually put the creative growth of all societies to a halt.

    Ukwuoma encouraged the participants at the retreat to maximise the opportunity to improve their performances and use the knowledge acquired to reposition the country among the comity of nations.

    “It is important for us to understand that even in the world of discovery and intellectual innovation, there are those who create value and those who merely extract value.

    “If we cannot create value let us at least try to extract value for development,’’ he said.

    Also, Prof. Ganiyu Aderonmu, the Director, Centre of Excellence in Software Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, one of the resource persons emphasised the need for collaborative relationships in Science and technology.

    Aderonmu, also the President, Nigerian Computer Society said Nigerian researchers could work collaboratively with the international community to access grants for transformation of the nation’s economy through quality research.

    Other issues discussed ranged from managing research process: from idealization to dissemination, strategies for engaging policy makers in evidence-based policy development and diversification of Nigerian economy through research and development.

    The retreat had in attendance notable researchers from other agencies across the country.

    NACETEM as an agency of government provides critical knowledge support in the area of science, technology and innovation management through capacity building in technology management.

    It offers short term courses, Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Technology Management, policy research and consultancy.

    NAN

  • Gov. Ahmed approves free bus ride for school children, pregnant women, others

    Gov. Ahmed approves free bus ride for school children, pregnant women, others

    Gov. Abdufatah Ahmed of Kwara has approved free bus ride for school children in uniform, pregnant women and physically challenged persons under the Maigida Soludero Mass Transit.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the state’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise ( MSME ) Bureau, Mr Segun Soewu, made this known at a news conference in Ilorin on Tuesday.

    Soewu said pregnant women and physically challenged would be entitled to the free bus ride throughout the day, while school children could enjoy the free service only in the afternoon when they close.

    He explained that Gov. Ahmed gave the directive as part of efforts to bring succour to families and the less privileged.

    The MSME Bureau boss added that the mass transit scheme had been offering subsidised intra and inter-city transport service to students and the public since it was launched in June 2017.

    NAN

  • Ahmed flags off Measles Vaccination

    Ahmed flags off Measles Vaccination

    Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, on Tuesday in Ilorin, flagged off Measles Vaccination Campaign, calling on parents and caregivers in the State to make their children available for the immunisation.

    According to the governor, on no account should parents deprive their children a secure future and a healthy life on the basis of cultural and religious beliefs.

    Dr Ahmed explained that the state government had put in place strategies to reduce the burden of measles and placed a high premium on Primary Health Care and Routine Immunisation.

    “The government has supported Primary Health Care activities by paying the counterpart fund for this Measles Vaccination Campaign and the biannual Maternal, New-born Child Health (MNCH) Week which is aimed at delivering high impact interventions to mothers and children”, the governor said.

    Governor Ahmed assured Kwarans that the forthcoming State Health Insurance Scheme would also ensure that quality and affordable health care services, including immunization, are accessible to all citizens of the State regardless of their economic status.

    Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, WHO, coordinator in the state, Pharmacist Mustapha Katibi has commended the state government for retaining its polio free status since 2009.

    In his goodwill message at the Measles Vaccination Campaign, Pharmacist Katibi said the WHO is pleased with Kwara State Government in its activities to ensure that the people of Kwara State attain highest standard of health.

    Katibi explained that his office had collaborated with the state in a number of campaigns, including the just concluded Yellow Fever Preventive Vaccination in which Kwara scored over 90% in Post Coverage Survey Report released last week.

    The WHO Coordinator also disclosed that Measles remains a burden in Nigeria as a result of high level of unvaccinated children.

    “Nigeria, being a signatory to the Measles elimination by the year 2020 is organising Measles campaigns from October, last year to March this year”.

     

  • Dapchi Girls: ACF asks FG to review security architecture

    Dapchi Girls: ACF asks FG to review security architecture

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government to review its security architecture over the the recent abduction of secondary school girls in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    This was also as the forum described the blame game between the Yobe State government officials and the Military on one hand and among security agencies on the other over the abduction as unnecessary and unhelpful.

    While describing the abduction as wicked and callous, ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu however urged the military and other security agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    According to the statement, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is saddened over the unfortunate circumstance that led to the abduction of about 100 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State by some suspected Boko Haram terrorists last week.

    Read Also: Police in control of Dapchi security, says Army

    “This ugly incidence similar to the abduction of the Chibok girls barely four years ago is wicked and callous.

    “ACF shares the pains and trauma the parents of the girls, government and people of Yobe State and indeed Nigerians are going through and pray for their safe rescue and return to their parents soon.

    “ACF urges the Military and other Security Agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    “The blame game between the Yobe State government officials and the Military on one hand and among security agencies on the other over this unfortunate incidence is unnecessary and unhelpful.

    “All hands should therefore be on deck to ensure that the girls are rescued. The stories that the abducted girls were ferried across our borders or within some locations in Nigeria, should not be ignore for possible link to the whereabouts of the girls.” ACF said.

    As part of efforts to forestall recurrence of the Dapchi incident, the forum therefore advised the Federal Government to review its security architecture especially in the Northeast zone.

    “ACF therefore calls upon the Federal Government to review its security architecture especially in the Northeast zone by sustaining security surveillance and intelligence in order to avoid a repeat of the Dapchi episode.” It said.

     

  • Kwara Assembly passes bill stopping pension to ex-govs

    Kwara Assembly passes bill stopping pension to ex-govs

    The Kwara State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment bill halting payment of pension to former governors, deputy governors and other officers holding political offices after their tenure in office.

    The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Establishment and Public Service at the Committee of the Whole House sitting in Ilorin.

    The motion for the passage of the bill was moved by the Deputy House Leader, Segilola Abdulkadir and was unanimously adopted by members.

    Read Also: Kwara communities settle differences

    The Deputy Speaker, Matthew Okedare, who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina, to prepare clean copy of the bill for governor’s assent.

    The bill, which was forwarded to the House by Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed, sought to review the existing law where payment of pension for former governors and deputy governors after their tenures would be suspended.

    NAN

  • 150 farmers in Auchi to get CBN loan

    150 farmers in Auchi to get CBN loan

    A total of 150 cassava farmers in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area are set to receive loan support under the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchors Borrowers Scheme.

    Also, some Auchi youths who were recently deported from Libya have indicated interests to be registered in the schemel.

    Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III donated 500 hectares of land to the cassava farmers for the success of the scheme.

    Addressing the farmers at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the farmers, CBN officials and other supporting institutions, Governor Godwin Obaseki said he has many programmes to uplift the living condition of farmers in the state.

    Governor Obaseki who was represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, assured the farmers that tractors would soon be made available to prepare the land for the farmers.

    Obaseki noted that the decision to engage the farmers in clusters was to teach them new ways of farming in his quest seek alternative to oil.

    He said the new ways is for the farmers to see farming as a business and make good profit.

    Read Also: FG to train 100 rice farmers in Kebbi – Ogbeh

    According to him, “We have decided to teach people better ways of farming. If we are not self-sufficient in food production we are in trouble.

    “We don’t want to send you to farms without giving you the necessary tools. We can’t send people to farms without access to funding, market and high yielding species.

    “We will buy the farm products at the existing market prices. The loan is a single digit interest rate. How well you look after your farm will determine your profit.”

    Coordinator of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the locality, Abdullahi Mohammed, said they were convinced success of the programmer as it would enable them farm without tears.

  • Ahmed approves appointment of Local Government Monitoring Committees

    Ahmed approves appointment of Local Government Monitoring Committees

    The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of local government monitoring committees for the sixteen local government councils in the state.

    In a statement issued in Ilorin, the state capital on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold, said the approval was sequel to the government’s desire to ensure development projects are properly implemented according to specifications.

    Read More: Kwara 2019: Who succeeds Ahmed?

    Alhaji Gold added that the committees are also to serve as additional platforms for assessing the development needs of the local governments in the state in line with the state government’s desire to ensure a meaningful spread of development projects across the state.

    The Secretary to the State Governor congratulated the new committee members and tasked them to work together in the overall interest of the state.

  • Nwuche seeks unity of South South leaders

    Nwuche seeks unity of South South leaders

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Chibudom Nwuche has urged political leaders in Rivers State to eschew bitterness and be their brother’s keeper.

    A statement by the Office of the former Speaker said that Nwuche stated this while speaking on behalf of Rivers State Elder statesmen at Expo Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos venue of the 2017 edition of the Annual Sun Awards where Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was conferred with Sun Governor of the Year Award.

    It said that the former Speaker urged political leaders in Rivers State and south south in general to stop denigrating and running each other down as such negative tendencies is greatly affecting the development of Rivers state and the Niger Delta region.

    It said that Nwuche commended Wike whom he described as “a true statesman” for his developmental strides in Rivers state, a testimony that earned him the Sun governor of the year for two consecutive times making him the first governor  to win the coveted award back to back, an honour he described as well deserved.

    He urged governor Wike to see the award as a morale booster to do more for the people of Rivers irrespective of whether they are All Progressives Congress (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It said that Nwuche maintained that this was the season for governance, adding that when the season for politicking comes, the various parties will present their candidates and the electorate will decide.

    It said that the former Speaker also thanked The Sun Publishing Limited for finding the governor worthy to win the award again in 2017 after winning that of 2016.

    He used the opportunity to implore governor Wike to continue in his peace building efforts which results have started manifesting through the restoration of peace that has in turn restored investors’ confidence in Rivers State to provide jobs, employment and empowerment for the teeming youths of state and stop cultism and sundry crimes.

    He urged Niger Delta leaders to celebrate each other instead of only celebrating outsiders.

    It said that Nwuche described as a shame a situation “Niger Delta leaders keep setting up, blackmailing and using security agencies and fighting each other, instead of using their positions to develop the region and its people.”

    Nwuche urged politicians in the state to draw a line between politics and governance, noting that once elections are over, what is expected of leaders is to join hands to chart a common agenda for the development of the state and the country irrespective of party affiliation.

    He stressed that “governance is all about the people and posterity will always remember those who served selflessly while in power.”

    He urged them to imbibe President Buhari’s posture in focusing on governance after the 2015 elections, until it’s near the next election cycle.

    Nwuche noted that in spite of the sponsored write ups against his efforts at peace building and putting the people first, President Buhari has refused to see politics as a war without end as some desperate politicians were doing.