The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Kaduna State Ministry calls for increased sensitisation on Child Protection

    Kaduna State Ministry calls for increased sensitisation on Child Protection

    The Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development have advocated more awareness and sensitisation on the new Child Protection Law.

    The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Hajiya Hafsat Baba, made the call in an interview with the News men on Thursday in Kaduna.

    The news men reports that the bill was passed by the State House of Assembly on Wednesday.

    The News men report that the Kaduna State House of Assembly had on Wednesday passed the Child Protection Bill after about 18 months of rigorous scrutiny, criticisms and debates.

    Baba said that with the passage of the bill, people, especially at the community level, needed to be sensitised about it.

    She said that the new law was aimed at protecting the welfare and safety of children across the state, hence, the need for awareness campaign.

    “With passage of the bill into law, children will have unhindered access and right to education and justice in cases of violation of their rights, which maybe rape, trafficking, amongst others.

    “The next line of action is for us to create more awareness and sensitise people so as to remove misconceptions so that children can take their parents to court,’’ Baba said.

    Read Also: NGO supports 1,847 orphans and children in Kaduna

    The commissioner said that if parents were properly educated and informed about the law, children who had been raped or assaulted would have justice in the long run.

    “We believe that with this law, both the judiciary will have a document to work on and justice can be done for our children and all that are concerned,’’ Baba said.

    She said that the law would protect every child, irrespective of their social status in the society.

    The commissioner added that all children have the right to life, education, protection and conducive environment.

    She commended Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, the civil societies, media and members of the State Assembly for their efforts in establishing the law.

    Baba said that the lawmakers had made history for the state.

    “This is a giant stride for Kaduna State. We are taking the lead and I hope other states will emulate us,’’ the commissioner said.

    Recounting the 18 months of struggle for the passage of the bill, she said that a lot of consultations were made with inputs from religious, traditional leaders, civil societies and the public.

    Baba added that series of public presentations where people gave their views were also held.

    The news men reports that the Chairman, House Committee on Women and Social Development, Haliru Dangana, had told newsmen that the aim of the law was to curb the atrocities being committed in the state through child trafficking.

    Dangana, after the passage of the bill on Wednesday, said that child trafficking had become a huge money-making venture for some people.

    NAN

     

  • Anambra frowns at non-completion of N20m community infrastructure

    Anambra frowns at non-completion of N20m community infrastructure

    The Anambra State Executive Council has frowned at the delay by some communities in completing the N20 million Community Infrastructure Projects in their areas.

    Mr Tony Nnachetta, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy made the government position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Awka.

    Nnacheta, in the statement, directed president generals, traditional rulers and leaders of town organisations to galvanize completion of the projects.

    The news men reports that the administration of Gov. Willie Obiano initiated community infrastructure projects with the provision of N20m to each community to execute projects of their choice.

    The commissioner noted that in spite of releasing first and second tranches of N20 million to communities, some of them had yet to complete their first projects.

    Nnachetta said that the council had directed 19 communities whose names were listed in the statement to ensure that they completed their projects before the end of February 2018.

    The commissioner said the council also noted with dismay that some communities had yet to process the second tranche of the project fund.

    Read Also:Fire guts six shops, goods in Anambra market

    “Government is set to activate the third tranche around March 2018 and completion of first and second tranches are clear prerequisites for communities to qualify,’’ he said.

    Nnachetta said that the state government would equip the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency to operate three-work teams in each of the three senatorial zones and aggressively maintain the road network in the state.

    On the Lassa fever outbreak in some states, the council expressed concern for the outbreak of the disease and had continued to provide considerable medical attention through professionals at the Ministry of Health.

    “Everyone is advised to take extra care in cleanliness and for any symptoms, which should be promptly reported to health authorities.

    “Council requests all Local Governments, churches and unions to disseminate information to our people to be extra vigilant in schools and public places,’’ Nnachetta said.

    The commissioner expressed council’s satisfaction, gratitude and cooperation to the people of the state for their effective participation during the funeral of late former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.

    NAN

  • Expert urges Osun to invest in Osun Grove

    Expert urges Osun to invest in Osun Grove

    A tourism expert, Mrs Margaret Fabiyi, has called on the Osun government to invest in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine to boost its revenue earnings.

    Fabiyi, the founder of Webisco International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs and Tourism of Nigeria, made the call in an interview with

    According to Fabiyi, the heritage site is a prominent cultural, craft and art centre and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Nigeria that should be supported to attract more tourists.

    “For instance, the government should build hotels and relaxation centres as well as put in place other tourism infrastructure around the grove to boost the tourism image of the state.

    “The grove and the shrine should be given a befitting look while the road leading to the site needs to be expanded. The River Osun environment needs to be cleaned up.

    “Osun grove is one of the UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites, so if the government can invest heavily in it, it will boost Internal Generated Revenue (IGR),’’ she said.

    Read Also: Why Osun adopted parliamentary system, by Aregbesola

    According to her, the evergreen jungle around the grove gives it a serene atmosphere, offering nature watchers additional attraction.

    Fabiyi said that many sacred places of interest within the grove such as Ile-Osun, the Osun Temple and Ojubo Osun were capable of  bringing in more tourists to the state.

    The news men reports that the Osun Grove and Shrine is a national monument situated about a kilometre from the Ataoja’s Palace, a prominent king in the state.

    The grove and shrine, located close to River Osun, attracts millions of local and international tourists annually.

    River Osun is a sacred river being worshiped because it is believed that it  has  the ingredients to overcome all human challenges.

    NAN

  • Bindow to appoint 20 NURTW members as Special Assistants

    Bindow to appoint 20 NURTW members as Special Assistants

    Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa has promised to appoint 20 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) as Special Assistants in his administration.
    Bindow made the pledge while receiving members of the state chapter of the union who visited him on Thursday in Yola.

    The governor also approved two slots each for both Christians and Muslims for pilgrimage.

    “This is an all-inclusive government and l solicit collaboration with the union for efficient transport service delivery in the state,’’ the governor said.

    Earlier, Alhaji Bello Adamu, the state’s Chairman of the union, called for the inclusion of the union members in the core administration of the state.

    Adamu also appealed to the governor to make tents in motor parks to serve as shades for passengers and the union workers.

    Read Also: Bindow decries increase in arms banditry in Adamawa

    He said that the harsh temperature in the state posed a big challenge to commuters to patronise available motor parks.

    The union leader commended the governor for his tremendous provision of road infrastructure in the state.

    According to him, the union is the major beneficiary of the good road network across the state.

    Adamu pledged their support to the present administration and promised to support the re-election bid of the governor.

    NAN
     

     

  • Sokoto State, BoI to disburse N2bn loan to small scale entrepreneurs

    Sokoto State, BoI to disburse N2bn loan to small scale entrepreneurs

    The Sokoto State Government and Bank of Industries (BoI) will disburse N2 billion loans to support small scale businesses across the state.

    Malam Imam Imam, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Relations announced this in a statement on Thursday in Sokoto.

    Imam said the state government had released its counterpart fund of N1 billion to BoI for the take-off of the scheme.

    “All necessary processes have been concluded and we expect disbursements to start soon after a thorough screening of beneficiaries by both the Sokoto State Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency ( SOSMEDA ) and the BoI.

    “We hope to support these entrepreneurs to enable them improve on their businesses as most of the beneficiaries will be women,’’ Imam said.

    According to him, by engaging more female entrepreneurs, government is seeking to enhance their economic status, which will have ripple effect on the economy of the state in general.

    “As for all the beneficiaries, we believe this support will allow them to be more self-reliant and create additional employment opportunities,” he added.

    The media aide said that the terms of the MoU with the bank of industry stipulated that the N2 billion would be used to assist micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

    Read Also: IMN leader, Kasimu dies, laid to rest at residence in Mabera, Sokoto

    Imam described SMEs as important because they are critical component in implementing the industrialisation policy of this administration.

    He expressed the determination of the state government to give the people all the required support to improve their businesses and urged entrepreneurs to partner with the government to ensure the success of “this important policy.’’

    He added that government’s decision to set up SOSMEDA was done to harness the potential in the sector for the benefit of the citizenry.

    “As you are aware, the role of small scale enterprises in changing the fortune of a given society cannot be over emphasised.

    “There is decisive shift on emphasis from the capital intensive, large scale industrial projects to small and medium scale industries because of their enormous potentials for rapid and sustainable development,’’ he said.

    According to him, apart from their prospect of ensuring a self-reliant industrialisation, in terms of ability to rely largely on local raw materials, small scale enterprises are better placed to boost employment.

    The governor’s aide noted that such would also guarantee a more even distribution of development in the state, especially in the rural areas.

    NAN

  • Men’s cooperation critical to success of family planning — NGO

    Men’s cooperation critical to success of family planning — NGO

    Mr Akin Jimoh, the Project Director, Development Communication Network (DEVCOMS), an NGO says men’s cooperation is critical to the success of Family Planning methods chosen by couples.

    Jimoh made this known on Thursday in Lagos, in an interview with the News men on the sideline of a two-day workshop for journalists.

    The workshop was jointly organised by the National Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) 2 and DEVCOMS.

    He urged men to always cooperate with their spouses in choosing the right family planning methods for them.

    According to him, the role of men in family planning is crucial if wives must make the right decisions on all family planning methods.

    “When we talk about child-spacing, it is not only for the women. There are commodities for both male and female.

    “A lot of times we emphasise on women, neglecting the men. family planning has to be done with the cooperation of both parties and if one party disagrees, it becomes an issue,’’Jimoh said.

    Read Also: Kaduna based NGO gives scholarship to 25 orphans

    The director noted that even the application of the natural methods in planning one’s family needs support of the men to ensure their effectiveness when a couple doesn’t want to use any of the commodities for family planning.

    He maintained that men should consider the economic and health implications of family planning as a way of achieving the quality of life they aspire for their families.

    “For men, we have to look at the economic and health implications of family planning to our wives and children.

    “If a man says I can only cater for two or three children, it shows that the man is already planning his family.

    “As the head of the family, a man is responsible for the quality of life of his family,’’ he said.

    Jimoh advised men to drive the process in all family planning decisions because they have that responsibility as the heads of their respective families.

     NAN

  • CVR: INEC solicits stakeholders’ support in Niger

    CVR: INEC solicits stakeholders’ support in Niger

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Thursday solicited the support of stakeholders towards mobilising eligible residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    Prof. Samuel Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Niger made the appeal in an interview with the News men in Minna.

    He said active participation of stakeholders, especially traditional and religious leaders, would greatly assist the commission in capturing eligible voters.

    Egwu explained that INEC was currently rotating its personnel across the state to ensure that it registered all eligible residents.

    He said the personnel would also attend to voters seeking to transfer their voting units from where they were originally registered to other locations among others.

    Read Also:INEC  seeks collaboration with NIGCOMSAT for e-results

    “We have also reached out to leaders of political parties, development associations and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to fully mobilise their eligible members to register,” he said.

    Egwu also called on the mass media to initiate more enlightenment programmes that would help educate residents to get registered to enable them elect credible leaders during the 2019 general elections.

    The news men report that similar exercises were ongoing in other states of the country.

     NAN

  • Boko Haram: Borno reconstructs 50, 000 houses, schools, clinics

    Boko Haram: Borno reconstructs 50, 000 houses, schools, clinics

    The Borno Government says it has reconstructed over 50, 000 houses; clinics, classrooms, water points, police stations and other public structures destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents in the past two years.

    The state Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Prof. Babagana Umara, stated this at a town hall meeting in Maiduguri.

    Umara said the projects were executed in liberated communities in 16 local government areas of the state, under its Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) programme.

    He explained that the projects were designed to fast track rehabilitation and resettlement of persons displaced by the insurgency.

    “For us to achieve maximum security in the region the military operation must be accompanied by stabilisation and intelligence.

    “The Borno Government has so far started reconstruction projects in 16 local government areas; basic amenities like water, health and education were being provided by the government.

    “About 26 mega schools are under construction so as to take care of the increasing number of orphans in the state.

    “In Bama Local Government Area the government reconstructed over 11, 000 homes, and in Mobbar, Damasak over 6, 000 homes reconstructed.

    “Likewise other local government councils: Gwoza, Chibok and Damboa, among others, have received similar attention”.

    Umara also disclosed that the government had successfully resettled displaced persons at konduga, Dikwa, Mafa, Gwoza, Mobbar, Askira, Ngala, Kukawa, Monguno and Damboa, amongst others.

    He noted that the state government had implemented various programmes to augment interventions by the Federal Government and development organisations to mitigate the effects of humanitarian crisis caused by the insurgency.

    Read Also: Air Force bombs Boko Haram weapons in Sambisa

    The commissioner stressed the need for establishment of civil authorities in the communities, to facilitate voluntary return and resettlement of displaced persons to their communities to resume their normal lives.

    “The establishment of civil authorities on ground is very paramount, the government constructed many police stations and traditional rulers’ buildings with a view to establishing civil authorities on ground; and without establishment of civil authorities their return could not be possible.

    “The issue of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement is very important because without return of civilian authorities in their localities there should be no complete peace.

    “Boko Haram will remain in the enclaves as long as there is no human population in the areas”.

    Also, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) urged the Federal Government to deploy police and other security personnel to the liberated communities to enhance the resettlement process.

    Ndume further called for increased funding for the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), to accelerate reconstruction, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation process in the war-ravaged region.

    Ndume noted that the total destruction in Borno State was estimated at over 9 billion dollars, representing about N2.7 trillion.

    According to statistics by Borno Government, over 20,000 persons were killed and over two million others displaced by the insurgency in the state.

    It shows that 986, 453 residential homes; 5, 335 classrooms, 201 clinics, 1, 630 water facilities, 726 electrical distribution stations and 800 public structures were destroyed by the insurgents in 27 local government areas of the state.

    NAN

     

  • Japan to assist Nigeria fight counterfeit products

    Japan to assist Nigeria fight counterfeit products

    The Japanese Government has pledged to assist Nigeria in its fight against substandard and counterfeit products in the country.

    Mr Taku Miyazaki, the Trade Commissioner, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) made this pledge while speaking with the News Men in Lagos on Thursday.

    Miyazaki said consumers and investors needed to be protected from the negative impact of counterfeiting which had destroyed the economy, business investments and international trade relationships.

    According to him, his government will collaborate with relevant government agencies in Nigeria to boost capacity of personnel through various workshops to detect fake and substandard products and protect intellectual property.

    He said unfair trade practice was one of the greatest concerns of investors in Nigeria.

    He said enhancing skills of customs officials and those of other relevant agencies would promote economic growth, prosperity and sustainable development.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Japan sign N642m grant to assist FG’s economic development efforts

    Miyazaki said the Japanese government had utilised the training to enhance the economies of the United Arab Emirate (UAE), India and some other Asian countries.

    He said bringing the training to Nigeria would assist the Federal Government to actualise the objectives its Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP), plug revenue leakages and build a virile economy.

    “It will be a win-win situation for both countries. Trust will be enhanced, trade volume, investments and productivity will increase,” he said.

    Miyazaki said it was imperative to engage in adequate sensitisation of consumers, build strong institutions and enforcement capacity to effectively tackle counterfeiting.

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) had disclosed that since 2,000, over one million Nigerians working in the textile industries had lost their jobs to activities of counterfeiters.

    Industry experts have estimated that N15 billion is lost annually to counterfeiting and substandard products and this has led to the collapse of many manufacturing firms.

    NAN

  • Bello appoints panel to probe suspension of LG chairman

    Bello appoints panel to probe suspension of LG chairman

    Niger governor Abubakar Bello on Wednesday set up a panel to investigate the suspension of Alhaji Saidu Kaboji, Chairman of Mashegu Local Government Area, from office.

    The News men report that the State House of Assembly, in November 2017, passed a resolution suspending the chairman and councillors from office over alleged unruly conduct.

    The legislators had accused the local government officials of assaulting them when they demanded explanations over an on-going road project.

    Read Also: Bello: A governor and his controversies

    Dissatisfied with the legislators’ action, Bello decided to set up a panel to investigate the matter “to come out with the best recommendations and ensure equity”.

    He urged members of the panel to use their wealth of experience to “ensure for all involved”.

    Members of the panel, which has two weeks within which to complete the task, include Alhaji Musa Abdul, Hassan Kolo, John Sani, Rakiya Mohammed and Yohanna Bako.

    NAN