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  • Aisha Buhari arrives Katsina to inaugurate maternity clinic

    Aisha Buhari arrives Katsina to inaugurate maternity clinic

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday arrived Katsina State to inaugurate children and maternity clinic at the General Hospital, Daura.

    The children and maternity clinic was built and equipped by Buhari through her NGO, “Aisha Buhari Foundation’’, which also catered for the health needs of under-privileged families in the country.

    The aircraft conveying the wife of the president and her entourage landed at the Katsina International Airport at about 10 a.m.

    She was accompanied by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehenire, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani.

    Read also: Aisha Buhari provides free medical services for 3,000 patients in Zamfara

    Others are the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Mrs Pauline Tallen, and wife of Benue Governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom, among others.

    The wife of the President was received at the airport by the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari and some members of the National Assembly led by Senate leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawal.

    During the visit, the wife of the President is expected to inaugurate and hand over the facility to the Katsina State Government as part of her contributions to the health and physical well being of women and children in the state.

    NAN

  • India bans day time advertisement of condoms

    India bans day time advertisement of condoms

    India on Tuesday banned telecast of condom advertisements on TV during day time, a move that has invited fierce criticism from campaigners of safe sex.

    In an advisory, India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked all TV channels in this country not to air condom advertisements between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time to avoid exposure of such material to children.

    “It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that some channels carry advertisements of condoms repeatedly which are alleged to be indecent especially for children.

    “In view of the above, all TV channels are hereby advised not to telecast the advertisements of condoms which are for a particular age group and could be indecent/ inappropriate for viewing by children,” the ministry added.

    The ministry has said the condom advertisements should only be aired late night till early morning, and asked TV channels to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of Cable Television Networks Rules.

    The ministry has also warned of action against any TV channel found flouting its order, which comes in the wake of a plea by the Advertising Standards Council of India ( ASCI ) earlier this month to decide the telecast timing of such advertisements.

    “The ministry has taken a call on our request. ASCI had received several complaints on the content of condom advertisments… (which) were explicit for children.

    “The main issue was with the timing of the advertisements,” Shweta Purandare, secretary general of ASCI, told the media.

    Doctors and critics, however, came down heavily on the government’s restrictions on telecast of such advertisements, saying such a move will prove counterproductive for campaigns against unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and unsafe sex.

    Read also: Can you buy condoms for your partner?

    “Sex education in schools may not be enough for teenagers. Good condom advertisements can help curb unwanted pregnancies, which are on the rise among teens, by giving the right message.

    “I think it’s a wrong step by the government,” Dr. Gauri Kaushik, a gynacologist, said Tuesday.

    Poonam Mutreja, executive director of non-governmental body, Population Foundation of India, echoed similar sentiments.

    “There are 13 per cent unwanted pregnancies in India, there are nearly 15 million abortions.

    “This decision is a red flag for me,” she told the media.

    NAN

  • Three docked for killing journalist in Malta

    Three docked for killing journalist in Malta

    A Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged three men with murder over a car-bomb blast that killed anti-corruption journalist, Daphne Galizia, court officials said.

    Galizia died instantly when her car was blown up as she drove out of her home on October 16, a killing that shocked Malta and raised concern within the EU about the rule of law on the tiny Mediterranean island.

    All three pleaded not guilty at the arraignment, which was attended by her husband, Peter Galizia.

    The men were named as Vince Muscat and brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio.

    It was not immediately clear whether police thought they had acted on their own or were hit men working for others.

    Galizia wrote a popular blog in which she relentlessly highlighted cases of alleged graft targeting politicians of all colours, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Vince Muscat was not a relative.

    Police arrested 10 men on Monday in connection with their investigation into the killing. The other seven were released on bail.

    A close friend of Galizia said that she did not think the journalist had ever investigated the three men charged on Tuesday.

    “She wrote about government officials, politicians and wealthy business types,” the friend said, declining to be named because of the sensitivity of the case.

    The Malta government had offered a one million euro reward leading to information on the murder.

    It also called in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Europol to assist in investigations.

    Maltese media said investigators had homed in on the suspects following telephone intercepts , known as triangulation data – that included the call from a mobile phone which triggered the car bomb.

    Malta, the smallest nation in the EU, has been engulfed by a wave of graft scandals in recent months, including accusations of money laundering and influence peddling in government – all of which have been denied.

    Galizia exposed many of these cases and was loved by her readers as a fearless, anti-corruption crusader.

    Critics saw her as a muck-raking fantasist and she had been hit with 36 libel lawsuits in the nine months preceding her death.

    Much of her criticism was leveled against Prime Minister Muscat and his leftist Labour party, which won power in 2013 after a nearly quarter of a century of uninterrupted rule by the conservative Nationalist Party.

    In the months before her death, she had also regularly targeted senior Nationalist figures.

    Italian newspapers have speculated that she might have fallen foul of men, who were making a fortune by smuggling fuel out of lawless Libya.

    However, her friend said she had never looked into the illegal trade and any mention of it in her blog related to articles already published elsewhere.

    NAN

  • Presidency moves to end farmers-herdsmen conflicts

    Presidency moves to end farmers-herdsmen conflicts

    The Federal government has opened nationwide consultations with opinion leaders towards ending incessant farmers – herdsmen conflict.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo opened the dialogue with the hosting of some traditional rulers from Adamawa at the State House in Abuja.

    The meeting was sequel to his visit to Adamawa on December 5, in the wake of the communal clashes in the area.

    The meeting had in attendance the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa; elder statesman, Malam Ahmed Joda and other leaders of the Fulani communities.

    Subsequent meetings would focus on other interest groups.

    At the meeting, previous reports on the conflict were presented by the delegation and causes of the conflicts were analysed.

    The meeting condemned the acts of violence that had occurred, especially the killing of children and women.

    It also highlighted the need for Law Enforcement and other Government Agencies to dutifully and objectively perform their constitutional roles.

    Osinbajo assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s resolve and commitment to the entrenchment of lasting peace in all communities across the country and the resolution of all legitimate grievances.

    He said, “There is nothing much more important now, in showing our leadership beyond preventing tragedy and destruction of everything we have built as a nation.

    The entire Nigeria enterprise is bigger than other interests. The overall objective is ensuring that our nation is not enveloped by another crisis.”

    According to the Vice President “We now have an opportunity to do something. We have the opportunity to resolve the issues and to build a nation where we and our children can live in peace.”

    Following the vice president’s visit to Adamawa, several food items and relief materials had been distributed to all the affected communities in the state, including Shafaron, Kodomti, Tullum, Mzoruwe and Mararraban Bare in Numan Local Government Area.

    Other communities that received relief materials were Dong, Lawaru and Kukumso in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.

    In the next series of meetings, the vice president will meet with the Batta, Bachama and other groups from Adamawa, while meetings with stakeholders from other conflict-affected states would follow.

    Also at the meeting were Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello.

    NAN 

  • Theater Commander urges Boko Haram insurgents to surrender

    Theater Commander urges Boko Haram insurgents to surrender

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the newly-posted Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, has called on the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    Nicholas made the call at hi maiden media interactive session on Monday in Maiduguri.

    He said that the call was imperative to encourage remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents to surrender in order to end insurgency and guarantee lasting peace in the region.

    “We have determined and courageous soldiers to crush the terrorists and bring peace to the North-East.

    “I call on the insurgents in the bush to surrender to the Nigerian Government and embrace peace,” he said.

    Nicholas also tasked the media to work toward awareness creation on de-radicalisation of the sect’s ideology, promote peace building and social cohesion.

    Read also: Army removes commander over Boko Haram attacks

    He reiterated the readiness of the military to work with media to ensure successful campaign against insurgency in the country.

    “The command will provide enabling environment for the media to access information on our operations.

    “You should ensure accurate, factual and balance reportage on the military operation,” he said.

    The commander warned that the authorities would not condone misrepresentation of facts and bias reportage.

    Nicholas disclosed that the command would come out with new strategies to intensify campaign to end suicide bombings and attacks by the insurgents.

    He also called on the people in the region to cooperate with military to enable them to win the war against the terror group, adding that the war against insurgency was a collective responsibility.

    Also, the outgoing commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said the military had implemented various operations to get rid of the insurgents and sustained the feat recorded in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Attahiru said that Boko Haram insurgents were tactically defeated, while the military liberated all the territories from the insurgents.

    He explained that the military had launched various operations designed to clear the remnant of the insurgents.

    “In view of the successes recorded by the military, the Boko Haram insurgents resorted to suicide bombing of soft targets,” he said.

    Attahiru said about 100 Boko Haram insurgents including five high profiled commanders were killed and 72 others surrendered to the military in the past six months.

    According to him, the military had reinforced its Mobile Strike Force to block the sect’s supply routes and enhance clearance operations.

    Attahiru listed other achievements of the command to include conduct of polio immunisation exercise in non-accessible rural communities and lifting of ban on fishery activities at Lake Chad Basin.

    Nicholas was the Chief of Logistics, Army Headquarters, before his new appointment as the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    NAN

  • Dickson warns against rejection of corps members

    Dickson warns against rejection of corps members

    Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, has warned heads of schools in the state not to reject members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) posted to their schools for their primary assignments.

    Dickson gave this warning on Monday at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2017 Batch “B” Stream 1 members of the youth service.

    The ceremony was held at the temporary orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said the warning became necessary in view of the government’s current education development agenda.

    Dickson, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Telford Ongolo, said his administration was aware that about 85 per cent of the corps members had been posted to schools and urged the principals to accept them.

    “The government of Bayelsa will not tolerate rejection of corps members without genuine reasons, especially by the heads of any school establishments.

    Read also:

    “We have set machinery in motion to deal decisively with anyone or group, who may want to frustrate the genuine efforts of our administration in raising the standard of education.

    “For the corps members, do not induce the rejection of your postings; I urge you, therefore, to accept your postings with open minds and be determined to make an impact on the community you find yourself.

    “I have directed all Local Government chairmen, traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure that those of you posted to their domains are warmly received and given all support to settle down,” he said.

    On security, Dickson said the State Government was committed to safeguarding lives and property of corps members but urged them to always be conscious of their environment, especially in the night.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Loto Bolade, thanked the governor for his support for the scheme, noting that the corps members were ready to discharge their duties to their fatherland.

    Bolade congratulated the corps members and urged them to put to practice, all they had been taught as part of their orientation course, which she described as the first phase.

    “Gentlemen, as you begin the second phase of the scheme with your posting to the place of your primary assignment, I urge you to be law abiding as you progress in your one year service.

    “Always respect the norms and traditions of your host communities, be security conscious at all times.

    “Avoid unnecessary travels in line with the policy of “no life jacket, no travelling on water” for those of you posted across water, do not travel without putting on the life-jacket,” she said.

    NAN

  • We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

    We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

    The Federal Government on Monday announced that when some power generation projects were completed by 2018, they could generate additional 1,129 Mega Watts to the current 7,000 Mega Watts in the country, the Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola revealed.

    The Minster said this at the 22nd monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at Geregu, Kogi.

    Fashola said “the Azura power plant will give us another 450MW; I know that we will also get 10MW of wind power from Katsina State.

    “I know that we will get 115MW from Gbari and 30MW from Kashimbila.

    “From Afam III, we will give 240MW of power in 2018, while Gurara is working to deliver 30MW, as Dadinkowa in Gombe will provide 29MM and Kaduna will generate 215 MW.

    “All these power plants do not involve the mini grids and solar systems that are coming.”

    The minister explained that in spite of the attainment of the current 7,000MW in the country, 2,000MW of the total power was not being distributed to Nigerians.

    He said it was important to devise means of taking the unutilised 2,000MW to Nigerians who needed power, noting that “we cannot afford to keep power; that is not good for business, especially those who invested in it.

    “One of the steps we are taking with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company ( NDPH ) is to try and complete some of the distribution projects under the Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) projects.

    “In Kogi, the distribution project that will affect the people positively are the ones in Okene, Igba, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2018.”

    Fashola said the narrative must change from not enough power to how unutilised power could be distributed.

    He explained that he had contacted the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to discuss how its members could key into the undistributed power.

    Read also: Why I believe power sector ’ll be fixed, by Fashola

    He added that “Director Generator, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other chambers of commerce had been contacted on how to take up the 2000 unused megawatts

    “We are also working on how Distribution Companies (Discos) could benefit from the entire process.”

    The minister, who said the sector had made progress on power Generation and Transmission, added that Distribution issues would also be cleared soon.

    He attributed the success recorded in the sector so far to government polices, “especially the provision of N701 billion assurance guarantee fund that enabled the payment to gas suppliers by Generating Companies (Gencos).

    “The assurance guarantee brought confidence to power production business, which resulted to increased power production which took us to all-time high of 7,000MW power availability.”

    “As at Dec. 5, 2017, power supply stood at 5,019MW, which was below the 5,074MW achieved in January 2016.

    “However, grid supplied power peaked at all-time high of 5,155MW on December 8, an increase over the January 2016 figure of 5,074 MW.”

    He said the success was due to teamwork and leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo and other stakeholders.

    He then urged stakeholders to join hands in solving the problems in the sector, saying it was a privilege to be involved in salvaging the challenges in the sector.

    The Managing Director of Geregu Power Plant PLC, Mr Aderemi Adenuga, said owners of the company injected 94 million Dollars to overhaul and upgrade the plant.

    He said the company was comfortably running the tree turbines in the plant and thanked Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for payment of the electricity generated to the company.

    NAN

  • NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

    NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Monday said it had acquired and renovated five additional air craft to fight insurgency and other crimes in the country.

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this at the Fourth Quarter 2017 CAS conference with the Branch Chiefs, Air Officer Commanding (AOCs) , Field Commanders, among others at its Headquarters in Abuja.

    Abubakar said the aim of the conference was to appraise progress made in NAF since the end of the Third Quarter held in Kaduna State in September.

    The CAS said further that the reason for the conference was also to obtain ideas from the bottom to the top, toward moving the service forward.

    He explained that to enable the service carry out its mandate, of protecting the country, the institution had trained a number of pilots and had already been deployed for operational duties.

    “A female pilot, for the first time in the history of NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot.

    “Having graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna State,” he said.

    Abubakar explained further that for the service to carry out its professional duties, NAF had also activated additional platforms which had been deployed for operations in the North-East.

    “One Bell 412 Helicopter had been activated, while work on the second one would be completed before end of December.

    “One Mi-35P Helicopter is being reactivated and should be ready for operation by January 2018 ending.

    “The overhauled engines needed for the reactivation had already arrived in Nigeria. The reactivation is being done locally to further build the capacity of NAF technical personnel as well as saving cost,” he said.

    The CAS added that foreign technical experts had been invited to execute the project in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.

    Abubakar said the two additional Mi-35M helicopters recently procured for NAF by the Federal Government had been test flown in Russia and should be operational in Nigeria by February 2018.

    Read also: NAF medical outreach in IDPs camps, Borno, successful

    He said a total of five combat helicopters were being added to NAF counter-insurgency efforts.

    “The Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of C-130H Aircraft had commenced in Lagos State, also being done locally by foreign technical experts with personnel for capacity building.

    “Similarly, the Service life of C-130H aircraft NAF 913 has been successfully extended. The foregoing efforts are to boost the strategic and operational airlift capability of NAF,” he said.

    The CAS said further that the air operations in the North-East had been reorganised for increased efficiency.

    He added that the Air Component Commander had been replaced with a Commander, Air Task Force, an Air Vice Marshal, who reports to the Theatre Commander.

    He said NAF had also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armourer Division well as 7 and 8 Divisions in the North-East.

    He said the whole idea was to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations. The NAF has also appointed an Air Liaison Officer for the Theatre Command to further limit the possibility of gaps in operations.

    “In the area of Force Protection, NAF has trained some of its Regiment personnel as additional Special Forces and deployed them to the North-East for operations alongside other surface forces.

    “NAF has graduated the second set of participants from its Air War College in Makurdi, Benue, the graduates are expected to add value to the Service in general and in operational activities,” he said.

    The CAS enjoined the senior officers to be frank in their contributions, identify challenges and proffer ways of moving the NAF forward.

    NAN

  • FG to host 2018 African Tourism Ministers conference

    FG to host 2018 African Tourism Ministers conference

    The Federal Government said it would partner with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria ( FTAN ) and other stakeholders in hosting of the African Tourism Ministers in June 2018.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja, when a delegation of FTAN led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Kareem Rabo paid him a courtesy call.

    Nigeria, at the 22nd United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO ) General Assembly held in September in Chengdu, China, won the right to host the Conference of UNWTO Commission for Africa in Abuja.

    Mohammed said FTAN, a statutory umbrella body of every association involved with tourism was crucial to successful hosting of the conference.

    He said from its membership ranging from tour operators, airlines owners, car hire operators, and hotel owners as well as other professional bodies in the sector, FTAN remained a major stakeholder in tourism industry.

    Read also: Argungu Fishing Festival: FG,  tourism stakeholders to partner Kebbi State

    “There is no way we can organise the conference without FTAN being co-opted in either the general purpose committee or the sub-committee.

    “You will be very much involved because it is FTAN that will provide services at the airports, the hotels and as guides of the visitors.

    “The impression that our visitors will have about Nigeria will depend on the effectiveness and competence of the various associations under FTAN.

    “Therefore, you should be rest assured that we are going to carry you along,’’ he said.

    Also responding to the request by FTAN for its members to be appointed on the board of Tourism Parastatal Agencies, the minister said the enabling Acts of some of the government establishments already catered for it.

    The minister said the government efforts at resuscitating the Presidential Council on Tourism was on-going and it would be made a priority of the ministry in 2018.

    Mohammed reiterated his commitment to the culture and tourism portfolio of his ministry.

    Earlier, Rabo had underscored the importance of the private sector to the development of the industry and the need for government to partner with the association in its activities.

    He said FTAN was ready to synergise with the ministry in realising the 2017 Declaration as Year of Sustainable Tourism Development spanning till 2030.

    Rabo also congratulated the minister on his recent election as the UNWTO Vice President for Africa and urged him to use the position to grow the industry.

    NAN

  • Superbikers embark on seven-hour praise

    Superbikers embark on seven-hour praise

    For seven hours, members of the Superbikers Association in Lagos praised their creator for the gift of life, journey mercies and the supernatural blessings they had received throughout the year.

    The event which was done in conjunction with the Life Center Ministries in Ajao Estate and Land of Praise Ministries featured prominent gospel artistes like Shola King, Brother Phillip, a blind gospel artiste, and the choir of the Life Center.

    Mr. Michael Oladeinde, the coordinator of the Superbiker’s Praise, said God has been faithful to them and they have every reason to praise God.

    “God has been faithful in our lives. We all have every reason to praise God every day of our lives.

    Read also: Breaking invisible barriers through Praise!

    “The best way to appreciate the lord’s favour , mercy and grace is to praise him all the time.

    “He is the one who has kept and preserved us all and we must appreciate the lord’s goodness in our lives,” he said.

    He also said that aside the attention Superbike riders get anywhere they go, they should always endeavour to seek attention for christ.

    “Anytime a Super biker gets to a place, his arrival is noticed immediately.

    “Everyone around him marvels and they are excited as he moves away. It is also important that as individuals we should be attention seekers for Christ.

    “We must make sure we carry the word along with us in everything we do. When we do this, we would definitely see the hand of God in the things we do,” he said.

    Food items were also distributed to communities in the area as part of the activities lined up for the celebration.