Author: Philomina Attah

NEMA receives 103 Nigerians deportees from Turkiye

NEMA

By Philomina Attah
Abuja, June 29, 2024 (NAN) A total of 103 Nigerians deported from the Republic of Turkiye back to Nigeria were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other Stakeholders.

The deportees who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday at 7pm through the pilgrims wing of the airport were received by the Federal Government officials led by NEMA

A Southwind Airlines flight TCGRB conveyed the deportees from Turkiye to Nigeria.

Addressing the returnees, the Director General NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, admonished them to accept their experience in good faith and be law abiding.

The DG NEMA, who was represented by the Director, North Central Zone, Alhaji Bashir Garga, said the returnees were received with dignity to assuage their experience and assured the concerns of Federal Government over their plights.

Umar announced that a token of financial support had been provided to assist in their transportation to their various locations.

After being screened by officials of Port Health authority, profiling was done by NEMA and NCFRMI, they were cleared by NIS and were given transportation to aid their movement to their various destination.

Other stakeholders that joined to receive the deportees were officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMID), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Other are the Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian (FAAN), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Others were officials of Port Health Authority and National Intelligence Agency. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
APA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Climate

By Philomina Attah
Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has called on Nigerians, particularly the youth, to plant trees to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

Mr Oshadiya Olanipekun, Director of Agricultural Lands and Climate Change Management Services at the ministry, made the call on Wednesday, in Abuja.

Olanipekun, represented by Mrs Anna Kalu, said that the ministry was committed to the government’s renewed hope agenda, which included ensuring food security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by Caritas Nigeria, an NGO, with the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”, to mark this year’s World Environment Day.

He outlined the severe impact of climate change on global food security, advocating that “when you cut one tree, ensure you plant two trees to replace that one”.

“Climate change is driven by human activities like deforestation and release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These exacerbate global warming.

“Deforestation, the act of cutting down trees which serve as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide, is identified as a major contributor to climate change,” he said.

He highlighted the environmental consequences such as land degradation and drought, especially in Nigeria’s northern regions.

“To address these challenges, the ministry, in collaboration with international donors and local communities, is implementing land restoration projects like Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACRESAL) in 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In observance of World Environment Day, the ministry stressed the importance of individual actions in mitigating climate change.

“When we burn, we release potent greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

“To counter this, we must engage in afforestation through planting trees to reduce carbon dioxide levels and lower global temperatures,” he said.

Earlier, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr Zachariah Samjumi, had emphasised the critical role of the environment in human survival.

He recalled the recent cholera outbreaks caused by environmental contamination, saying that it  underlined the need for a clean and healthy environment.

Fr Samjumi made reference to Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical on the environment which had been globally recognised and discussed at high-level meetings like the G7.

He commended students and schools for their involvement in environmental initiatives and encouraged them to reflect their environmental knowledge in their daily lives.

On his part, Osi Braimah, a director in the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said that the engagement of religious leaders and communities in climate change issues was critical in promoting sound environmental practices

Braimah, represented by Mr Ezekiel Oye-Ojo, further explained that together, humanity could foster a culture of sustainability and stewardship of the earth.

“I urge each of you to take action in protecting our environment. Simple actions, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and planting trees, can make a significant difference.

“Let us commit to promoting sustainable development and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations and ourselves,” he said.

Mr Udeaja Ikenna, Geographical information System’s (GIS) Consultant to Caritas Nigeria, in his presentation, urged the government to provide a central water board system that would supply water instead of individual sinking their boreholes

“Nigerians are so insensitive to the sinking of boreholes in the country. You discover each compound sinking their boreholes. Geologists tell us that in the near future, we are prone to earthquakes.

“Any slightest movement, an earthquake will happen. So what about the government having a central water board that will supply water instead of people sinking boreholes?

“Or better still, why not one or three houses use one borehole? Instead of each house having a private borehole?” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
APA/IAA
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

AMAC

By Philomina Attah

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), says he is committed to providing an impactful governance to the citizens of the municipality.

Maikalangu made this pledge while performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction and rehabilitation of Lugbe Primary School and Lugbe Chief Palace Township roads on Tuesday in Abuja.

He highlighted the council’s achievements over the past two years, emphasising his commitment to enhancing social amenities across the 12 wards of AMAC.

“Today’s ceremony is a confirmation of my promises towards being responsive to the basic needs of our people.

“The vital role of infrastructure in boosting the economic conditions of the residents is important hence the need for this inauguration.’’

Maikalangu said that, as part of the council’s ongoing roads revolution, over 15 asphalt legacy roads across the council’s three zones were ready for commissioning.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the council’s broader vision to improve the quality of life for its residents through comprehensive infrastructure projects, including rural electrification, water supply, health services and educational development.

The chairman also urged residents to fulfill their civic duties by paying taxes and levies, stressing that such contributions were essential for sustaining and expanding public services.

“These projects will not have been possible if residents fail to pay their taxes and levies to government,’’ he said.

Maikalangu credited his achievements to the support and inspiration provided by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,  Nyesom Wike, and the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He called on traditional rulers, property owners and other stakeholders to cooperate with contractors and ensure the quality of the work being carried out.

The chairman urged AMAC citizens to protect public infrastructure and report any sub-standard work, and also congratulated all involved and wished for the successful completion of the projects.

The Director of Works in AMAC, Mr Andrew Gaza, while giving overview of the project, expressed his delight and pride at the ground-breaking ceremony.

Gaza highlighted the significance of the developments and praised the efforts of the chairman.

“The project is particularly important to me as it directly impacts my ward,” he said.

He lauded the chairman’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises and delivering numerous infrastructure projects, including electrification and water supply, within a short period of assuming office.

According to him, Maikalangu is truly a promise keeper and everyone is grateful for his large-hearted service to our community and the entire FCT.

Gaza provided detailed insights into the road projects, which included a 1.5 kilometer stretch with one-side drainage spanning 75 meters.

He emphasised that these developments would significantly benefit the community by improving access to schools, boosting local businesses, and enhancing overall economic and social well-being.

“The road will serve several schools and will integrate our communities further; it will elevate the standard of living and ensure that no one considers resettlement necessary,” he said.

He also listed additional amenities like street lights that would soon be installed along the new roads.

Gaza urged the community to continue supporting the chairman and his cabinet in their efforts to improve infrastructure across AMAC and the FCT.

“Please pray for our leader; he chairman, and his team so that they can continue to deliver on their promises and enhance our city,” Gaza said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

APA/CJ/

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Need

By Philomina Attah

Abuja, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Metropolitan and Archbishop of Abuja Methodist Church, His Grace, Most Rev’d Michael Akinwale, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the economic hardships facing Nigerians.

The Cleric made the appeal during the 2024 Men’s ‘Work-Week/Father’s Day Thanksgiving Service at the Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Abuja on Sunday.

The Archbishop called on Tinubu to take decisive actiona to address the hardship, stressing, a lot of Nigerians were suffering.

“A lot of homes are bleeding at this time. The government should do everything they can to cushion the effect of this battered economy,” he implored.

He highlighted the house high costs of living, which, according to him, has placed basic necessities beyond the reach of the common man.

“This is part of our Divine responsibilities as men. But the truth is that we know that we are equally being challenged by the economy.

“One thing we need to understand is that God is our provider. He is the one who has the ability to provide for us.

“As long as we are resolutely determined as a father to meet up our responsibility, God will always make a way for us.

“To our president, I want him to understand that a lot of home is bleeding at this time.

“The commoners are really complaining. The government should block every conduit pipe where our resources are being drained at the expense of the masses,” he said.

Speaking on the theme “Arise and Build,” the Clergy emphasised the critical role of fathers in the home and the nation.”

“President Tinubu’s led government should do everything they can to cushion the effects of this battered economy. It is becoming very difficult to maintain the family, now, because almost everything has skyrocketed.

“It is far beyond the reach of the common man. As the father of the nation, we want to use this Father’s Day to appeal to the President  passionately, to  address the challenges.

“We understand that, the administration is trying entrench the stability if the economy, but the effect is really telling on the masses,” he said.

Quoting from the Holy Book of Colossians 3:19, the Cleric urged men to love and provide for their families,notwithstanding the economic pressures.

“God is our provider. As long as we are resolutely determined as fathers to meet our responsibilities, God will always make a way for us,” he said.

Also speaking, the President, Men’s Fellowship, in the Church, Mr Kayode Beckleg, echoed the same sentiments as the Clergy.

“Truly, the country is passing through tough times, but we should all realise that, it is only by the Grace of God that we are alive,” he said.

Beckleg encouraged men to turn to God, remain hopeful, and not abandon their families.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

APA/ROT
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi