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  • Officials pledge tight security during Kenya repeat polls

    Officials pledge tight security during Kenya repeat polls

    Officials said security apparatus in Kenya will be on high alert during the repeat presidential elections scheduled for Thursday in order to avert skirmishes that could disrupt the exercise.

    Acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Fred Matiang’i made the pledge while speaking in Nairobi during a meeting with regional administrators to review security preparedness ahead of the repeat polls.

    Matiang’i said: “solid measures are already in place to ensure the voting exercise is conducted in a peaceful environment.

    “The government reassures the public that it will execute its mandate of providing security throughout the country to ensure the fresh presidential election takes place in an atmosphere devoid of fear, intimidation and violence.”

    He said security apparatus have intensified vigilance to prevent chaos before, during and after the repeat polls that have triggered anxiety in some parts of the country.

    At the same time, Matiang’i warned that stern action will be taken on any individual or political groups intending to disrupt the repeat polls.

    He said that security personnel will guard election officials who will preside over the voting exercise to ensure they are not harmed.

    “The government will also ensure that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission  officials have adequate security to conduct the fresh presidential election without interference from any quarters,” Matiang’i said .

    The repeat polls that have been boycotted by the main opposition National Super Alliance have elicited a mixture of anxiety and fear in the country.

    While the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted that elections must be held on schedule, his opposition rival Raila Odinga has told his supporters to keep off the polling booths.

    The two political heavyweights have taken hardline positions as the country gears up for repeat presidential polls as ordered by the Supreme Court, which invalidated the ones, held on Aug. 8 citing irregularities.

    Security officials said monitoring of areas identified as volatile has intensified to prevent eruption of chaos during the repeat polls.

    Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet revealed that besides mapping hot spots, the national government has also deployed adequate security officers to maintain law and order during Thursday’s repeat presidential elections.

    NAN

  • Kebbi to construct four stadia

    Kebbi to construct four stadia

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has promised to construct four modern stadia in the four emirate councils of the state to boost sports development and unity among youths.

    The four stadia will be constructed in the Gwandu, Argungu, Zuru and Yauri emirate councils.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abubakar Muazu, said on Monday in Birnin Kebbi that the promise was made at the Argungu emirate ward football competition.

    “The provision of the stadia is part of efforts to improve on the state’s participation in zonal, national and international competitions as well as enhance peaceful coexistence,’’ Muazu said in a statement.

    It added that the governor urged groups and organisations to sponsor competitions to encourage the government to implement policies that would improve sports development.

    NAN

     

  • Nigeria cultivates only 40% of its arable land – Sen. Adamu

    Nigeria cultivates only 40% of its arable land – Sen. Adamu

    Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, says that only 40 per cent of Nigeria’s arable land is under cultivation.

    Adamu, who said this in an interview on Monday in Abuja, called for increased investments in agriculture, as the situation had elicited serious concern.

    He said that one good thing that the recent economic recession had done to Nigeria was that people from all walks of life were now going into agriculture.

    On some reports that foreigners had taken over farming in the country, the senator said that the Nigerian economy was a free and open economy.

    “We need large-scale farming to increase our agricultural output if we are talking about food security.

    “Yes, we have been fed by peasant farmers, smallholder farmers in this country for quite a long time,’’ he said.

    Adamu noted that one of the reasons why the country had not been able to attain food security was because smallholder farmers had certain limitations, including how to use the little funds at their disposal in a pragmatic way.

    “The smallholder farmer also has limits regarding the land he owns, how much money he requires to invest on it and the equipment he needs to some extent,” he said.

    Adamu said that as a country, Nigeria had decided to transit from smallholder farming to medium or large scale farming activities.

    He said that most farmers had some waiting period for them to mature, in terms of attaining all the requirements for large scale farming.

    “In the interim, if foreign investors can come in, on terms that are acceptable by government through policy, there is nothing wrong with it,” he said.

    On reports of kidnapping of farmers in the northern part of the country, Adamu said: “I don’t know if that is completely true or correct.

    “I accept the fact that there has been some degree of exposure of insecurity in farms across the country.

    “It is not something that is just in the northern part of Nigeria, but what I do know is that government is striving to check the development.

    “I know government has taken very specific steps to combat it,’’ he added.

    The lawmaker said that government was deploying security outfits to farms, while that the Ministry of Interior was training young men and women to provide security in farms.

    “We cannot be everywhere but at least, for a start, we cover substantially some of the farms where we know huge investments have been made, or where we know there is a menace of disruption of farm activities by these men of the terror world.

    “Government is trying to make sure that the farms have some level of security. It is a national phenomenon and we are seeing it in that light: We are taking the steps that are absolutely necessary to contain the menace,” he said.

    While assessing the Anchor Borrowers Programme ( ABP ) of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), Adamu said that unfortunately, the programme was not quite going round all the 36 states.

    The Anchor Borrowers Programme is designed to create a linkage between companies that are involved in processing of key agricultural commodities and smallholder farmers, among other things.

    Adamu said there was concentration of ABP projects in certain parts of the country, while some areas have yet to benefit from the programme.

    “Like anything in the world, everything has teething problems in the beginning; we can forgive the concentration in one part of the country to the detriment of the other part.

    “The good excuse we have is that the programme is just beginning and it has recorded some successes by the grace of God.

    “The CBN is anchoring the ABP projects through its various intervention funds and this is doing a lot of good to us,” he said.

    NAN

  • UNICEF sensitises 500 rural traders on hand washing in Osun

    UNICEF sensitises 500 rural traders on hand washing in Osun

    No fewer than 500 rural traders were on Monday sensitised on the importance of hand washing at Olufi Market, Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun.

    The hand washing campaign was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Ayedaade Local Government.

    Addressing the traders, a UNICEF consultant, Mrs Bidemi Omopariola, said that “hand washing with soap was an easy, effective and affordable do-it-yourself protection that prevents infections and saves lives.’’

    Omopariola said that the importance of hand washing could not be over emphasised at this critical period of reported outbreak of Monkey-pox in some states in the country.

    She said that the hand washing campaign targeted markets where sellers and buyers could help in spreading the message to the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “It is important to turn hand washing to habit. The simple act of washing hands at this critical moment is an easy and affordable intervention.

    “Good hand washing hygiene will reduce the risk of water borne diseases, flu, food poisoning and health care associated infection being passed from person to person,” she said.

    Earlier, Mr Oduwole Bashir, Executive Secretary, Aiyedaade Local Government, said hand washing with soap was an inexpensive way of preventing diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections.

    “It is important to turn hand washing to habit. The simple act of washing hands at this critical moment is an easy and affordable intervention,” Bashir said.

    In his remarks, the Council Manager, Mr Olalekan Akande, also urged the traders to make hand washing a habit.

    “When hand washing with soap is practiced regularly at key times, such as after using the toilet or before contact with food, it can dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhoea and pneumonia, which can cause serious illness and death,” Akande said.

    Some of the traders who spoke with NAN commended UNICEF for the programme.

    Mrs Bukola Oyediran, a pepper seller, said the programme was an eye opener for her on the importance of hand washing.

    Another trader, Mr Segun Adeoye, a meat seller, said he hardly washed his hands after sales and commended UNICEF said for helping him to know the importance of hand washing.

    NAN

  • Airports concession: NASS to meet Sirika, aviation unions on Wednesday

    Airports concession: NASS to meet Sirika, aviation unions on Wednesday

    The National Assembly ( NASS ) on Monday summoned State Minister for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and other stakeholders in the industry over the concession of four major airports in the country.

    The General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ), Mr Olayinka Abioye, confirmed the development in Lagos.

    The Federal Government plans to concession Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports to enable them meet international standard.

    “The NASS has invited us for a meeting on Wednesday. It is a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    “They have invited the minister, the unions and other civil society groups to deliberate on issues surrounding the concession of the airports,’’ Abioye said.

    He also noted that the unions had suspended their 15 days ultimatum over the concession issues following the intervention of the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

    Abioye said: “the minister of labour has intercepted that ultimatum. He invited us to Abuja for a meeting last week including the minister of aviation.

    “Each party laid bare their own side of the story and the minister has now agreed that workers and the unions will be fully carried along because we also alleged that we were not in the know of so many things he was doing.

    “He has promised that they will expand the scope of their operations and carry everybody along.’’

    The NUATE secretary general said at the meeting, Sirika explained that the issue of concession was his own idea but that the transaction advisers who had been appointed would determine the type of models for the concession process.

    According to him, the unions were informed that the three of the transaction advisers were from the United Kingdom, one from the United States, and one from Nigeria to serve as local content partner.

    NAN

  • Evans in Igbosere high court on fresh charges

    Evans in Igbosere high court on fresh charges

    Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike. a. k.a Evans, faces second arraignment at an Igbosere High Court on Lagos Island amid watertight security.

    More details later…

  • What REALLY does Happy Weekend Sir mean?

    What REALLY does Happy Weekend Sir mean?

    Quite frankly, what really is the meaning of HAPPY WEEKEND Sir or Ma in Nigeria?

    I’m sure some of us enjoyed our weekend with families and friends; we most likely would have met a person or two wishing us a happy weekend.

    Does it mean different things to different people, from different places, in different professions or for different reasons?

    Does this popular phrase which heralds the beginning of the weekend have hidden and coded connotations behind it?

    It became more popular when Show Dem Camp ( SDC ) released the song – “Happy Weekend” in 2014.

    When your Pastor or Imam tells you…HAPPY WEEKEND SIR, it most likely means God bless you and your family…enjoy your weekend!

    However, if a policeman, a security man, a secretary or Personal Assistant to the Director you are seeking a contract from or some other persons and personalities tell you – HAPPY WEEKEND Sir, does it really mean something else?

    So we ask the question: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF HAPPY WEEKEND Sir or Ma?

    Feel free to give us your opinion.

    Happy weekdays to you all!

  • UPP, APDA call for fair play in Anambra election

    UPP, APDA call for fair play in Anambra election

    Dr Sylvster Igwilo, Chairman of United Progressives Party ( UPP ) in Anambra said that the party was confident of winning the Nov. 18 governorship election in the state if every stakeholder play by the rules.

    Igwilo made this known in Awka on Sunday that the party’s candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka was the most qualified from the array of candidates in the race.

    He said Chidoka had better plans for the people of the state and have been addressing issues that bordered on the common man in his campaigns.

    Igwilo warned other parties to comply with the efforts aimed at minimising irregularities during and after the Nov. 18 governorship election.

    “My party is quite prepared for this election, we know it is not going to be easy and as you know, UPP has the most credible candidates among all others in the race.

    “Chidoka is well known and accepted by the people, a former Minister and FRSC Corps Marshal who is interested in the state and how to put back on track economic prosperity and sustainable development.’’

    Igwilo said the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) was doing well compared to the previous years in terms of preparation for elections.

    According to him, if things are to go by the assurances INEC has given, then the election would be free and fair.

    “My appeal is that other party chairmen should play by the rules, their agents should be properly identified with passport to enable us know who is who.

    “There are some people that are not serious about this election. they are just interested in what they will get through sharp practices,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Adaeze Okafor, candidate of the Advanced People Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) raised alarm at what she described as increasing monetary cost of the election.

    Okafor said it was as if the election was a do-or-die affairs from the way some candidates of the big parties were going about in their campaigns.

    According to her, candidates and their supporters should see election as opportunity to serve and not avenues for amassing wealth.

    She noted that some of the issues raised in the campaigns so far had not addressed the wellbeing of the ordinary people of Anambra but an attack on persons.

    “Issues are not addressed in the campaigns, they have not said how they are going to build the people and make their lives better.

    “The role of money in this election is becoming too much, some parties have set a lot of money aside to pay for votes.

    “Other candidates are throwing money around in the market places as if their lives depend on the election.’’

    She called on the INEC to restrict people from going close to the electorate during voting and to stop votes buying.

    NAN

  • SUBEB trains 7,000 teachers in Borno – Official

    SUBEB trains 7,000 teachers in Borno – Official

    The chairman, Borno State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) Alhaji Shettima Kullima said the board has trained 7,000 teachers.

    Kullima in Maiduguri said that the teachers were drawn from public schools in the three senatorial districts of the state.

    He said that the  teachers were exposed to post crisis and best teaching methodologies with a view to reinvigorate the basic education sector.

    Kullima explained that the exercise was also designed to address psychological trauma in the teachers and encourage them to improve their performance.

    He said the training  was conducted in collaboration with the United States’ Education Crisis Response (ECR) programme.

    The Chairman disclosed that 477 teachers were killed while many pupils were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Read Also: Unity Bank donates vehicle to Borno SUBEB

    According to him, the state government is building 21 mega schools each with the capacity to accommodate 2, 000 pupils.

    He said that the project in Borno was designed to decongest classrooms and provide conducive teaching and learning environment.

    “The state government had reconstructed and rehabilitated classrooms and schools destroyed by the insurgents in Maiduguri and other liberated communities,” he added.

    NAN

  • HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART ONE]

    HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART ONE]

    With her head pressed tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow, she cried all night, engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage. She now feels a void, one that needs to be filled urgently before she loses her mind; she feels empty, finished and dry.

    First, it was an introduction; a seemingly harmless remark of “how are you?…my name is Femi!”. In response, she gives a restrained and innocuous smile out of courtesy, and tries to add the formal appellation of “Mr…” before returning the pleasantry. But quickly, like a predator that stealthily and hastily latches onto its unsuspecting prey, he interrupts and says – “please simply call me Femi.” She holds back her smile again and said…“ok then, Femi…it’s nice meeting you!”

    The breakout session was over, and everyone was required to congregate back as an audience and maintain their sitting arrangement. She politely excused herself and went to have a seat. From the corner of her eye she could see Femi…sorry, Mr Femi, staring at her; his head tilted almost permanently towards her direction.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART TWO]

    Femi was seated four seats before her (on the same row). She could hardly concentrate on the topic being discussed by the facilitator; all she could think about was how brazenly smart and articulate he was during her first encounter with him. Femi is the quintessential ladies’ dream-guy; he had the built (tall and sturdy) that most ladies delight in, skin tone that resonates between fair and chocolate, a baritone voice that literally reverberates and echoes in the receptacles your subconscious minutes after he has spoken, a clean low-cut with a well-trimmed goatee.

    Taking a cursory dive into a “not too distant past” of Amarachi (yes, that’s her name), say a year ago, you would see her pressing her head tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow. She cried all night, and engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [CONCLUDING PART]

    She just turned twenty one, and was returning home after the completion of her one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C) program to her fatherland. Her steps were literally prancing, springing and pouncing as she drew close to her family house; in fact, she was barely six feet away from the gate when she raced into the house hoping to receive an overwhelming shower of love and warm embrace from her dad and mom; she is an only child.

    Her infantile excitement quickly turned sour and sore as she beheld an abusive scene of her father bludgeoning and pummeling down on her mom; his big fist tightly clenched and dashing out unrestrained blows on her. She quickly rushed to separate the duo before her father gives a KO (Knockout).

    He had a brutal and bestial deportment and demeanour; a side of him she had never seen before. Her mother laid on the tiled floor drenched in tears, sweat, and something that looked like blood…Oh no…it was her blood. The situation was critical, but thanks to the swift response from the state ambulance service unit, her mom was rushed to the hospital and was operated on quickly. After two weeks she was out of the hospital.

    Ever since that unfortunate incident, her once congenial and loving family had morphed into a house of commotion…heck!, a house of conundrum and confusion. Every day in the house was like a typical sad and depressing scenery from a classic tragedy movie…an unending saga of bitter and tempestuous relationship between her parents.

    The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when her mother filed for a divorce, and her dad in his usual egoistic machismo bragged about his foray into adultery and how he regrets ever laying eyes on his wife.

    Now they are divorced. Amarachi shuttles incommodiously between her mother’s newly rented apartment and her father’s house. She lays flat on the bed, her eyes looking up at the ceiling; her thoughts receding to the good times they once had as a family; like a transient smoke that quickly disappears into thin air, those times have become nothing more than empty memories…forever buried in the annals of history…her history!

    With her head pressing tightly against her pillow, shedding warm tears that literally deluged her pillow, she cried all night, and engaged in a pity party; asking God why her parents would call it quits – a once blissful marriage. She now feels a void, one that needs to be filled urgently before she loses her mind; she feels empty, finished, and dry.

    Fast forward into the seminar hall where she is conveniently seated with other participants, and of course, the charmer – “Mr Femi”.

    To be continued!

    By Moses Emorinken

    Email: brandphase@yahoo.com

    Twitter: @memorinken

    Instagram: @memorinken