Author: premier radio premier radio

NAN-H-34
Scarcity
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2017 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, has appealed to stakeholders in the oil industry to collaborate in addressing the current fuel scarcity in the country.

Abdul-Lateef made this appeal on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Odosengolu, near Ijebu-Ode in Ogun.

The commissioner was speaking on the side-line of the formal closing of the 24th National Islamic Training Programme (NITP) organised by The Muslim Congress (TMC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the NITP training was “Witnessing Unto Mankind”.

He described the fuel scarcity as “man inhumanity to man’’ and challenged fuel marketers to be sincere, just and avoid inflating the price or hoarding the commodity.

“Some people, because of the desire to increase the fuel price, have started to hoard the commodity and begin another chapter in our unimpressive attitude.

“I think the marketers and all the stakeholders must have the fear of God in mind and understand that life is not all about money.

“Life is about the happiness of all; because if we continue to impoverish Nigeria at the expense of so many people, we will continue to give birth to criminality,’’ Abdul-Lateef said.

Earlier, the President of TMC, Dr Luqman Abdur-Raheem explained that the NITP was a camping programme designed to build the spiritual, intellectual and social capacities of Muslims.

“At NITP, we learn Quran, Hadith, Fiqhu, Current Affairs and Issues around the Muslim world.

“It provides a platform for knowledge-sharing, socialisation and networking.

“This is the 24th edition, during which members and leadership of TMC rub minds on peaceful coexistence, nation-building and the development of Islam in all ramifications,’’ Abdur-Raheem sai.

He noted that the Muslim community was in a trying period when the Muslims, the mosques and Islamic symbols of Hijab for female Muslims are under attacks.

“We advise all Muslims to protect Islam with all resources at their disposal.

“But bombing, sabotage and killings of innocent persons are not lawful means for calling and witnessing unto mankind.

“These are methods of terrorists. Terrorists in Nigeria and in the Arab world have stolen our physical appearance and pretend to be Muslims.

“They have satanic and cultic ideologies, which are antithetical to Islam – a phenomenon of Muslim Identity Theft.

“We restate our organisation’s commendation to the Federal Government in its fight against corruption, economic sabotage, indiscipline, terrorism and impunity.

“The government is making appreciable progress but there is need for the Muslims and Non-Muslims to provide workable template from our heavenly revealed religions to the three tiers of government.

“We should also accompany this with prayers and cooperation for national development,’’ Abdur-Raheem said. (NAN)
AIB/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-1

Prisoners

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Dec. 27, 2017 (NAN) The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it will always partner relevant organisations to assist prison inmates to have easy access to education.

The council’s Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Olutise Adenipekun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that such collaboration would enhance the inmates’ transformation and development.

Adenipekun was speaking against the backdrop of the need to encourage educational pursuit in prisons nationwide.

He said such pursuit would  assist the inmates to achieve life-long learning irrespective of where they found themselves.

According to the WAEC boss, there is life after prison and, therefore, the need to encourage the inmates to acquire education.

“Education in the prisons is an area I am passionate about as a key stakeholder in the education sector.

“If anyone should find himself or herself behind the bars, that does not mean the end of the world for such.

“So, WAEC as an organisation, has brought into the vision that behind the bars life must continue.

“Because after getting out of prison, they still come back to the society to carry on with normal life.

“That is why we should partner those organisations that may want to assist the inmates to access education and other external examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination(WASSCE) for private candidates,’’ he said.

Adenipekun added that the council would continue to partner the various prison commands on the need for them to establish examination centres located within prison facilities with education officers attached to them.

He noted that the education officers had been working in collaboration with the council across the country.

“So, we are prepared to continue to inspect and give approval to more examination centres in prison facilities to train and teach inmates to be able to write our examinations as private candidates,’’ Adenipekun said. (NAN)

CCN/AIB/PAD

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Peter Dada

NAN-H-2
Firecrackers
Zainab Abaniwonda/Damilola Ishola
Lagos, Dec. 23, 2017 (NAN) A clergyman, Pastor Jonathan Olaoye, has described the throwing of firecrackers by youths during Christmas festival as mere fun rather than being scriptural.

Olaoye of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Ijomimo Oluwa, Isolo in Lagos told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that firecracker “is just for fun’’.

According to him, it does not have anything to do with the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas is a season of celebration and there is nowhere in the Bible where it is stated that firework is for Christmas.

“It is just for fun and not for Christ,’’ Olaoye told NAN.

He, therefore, cautioned the youths, playing with the fireworks to be careful because of the lethal nature of some of the explosives.

NAN reports that annually as the yuletide approaches, some people, especially the youths usually engage in throwing all kinds of fireworks, especially at night.

The throwing of fireworks also known as “banger” often starts as early as November.

Some youths, who spoke with NAN in Lagos, said without fireworks there could be no Christmas.

Opeyemi Olanrele, a 10-years-old boy in Mushin area of Lagos State told NAN that he and his friend derived pleasure in throwing firecrackers.

“We catch fun with it. My friends and I enjoy playing with fireworks because we catch fun playing it.

“We are always happy because we know whenever there is banger Christmas day is close,’’ he said.

Opeyemi told NAN that he usually got money from his father to buy the firecracker.

“My daddy brings banger home for us and he said he gets it from his Policeman friend whose wife deals in firecrackers.’’

Also, Oladimeji Ayomide, a student of the Lagos State University (LASU) said that “there is no Xmas without fireworks’’.

He, whoever, acknowledged that firecrackers could be dangerous.

“Fireworks can be dangerous because a friend of mine got blind from playing with the explosive device last year.

“Everyone has to be careful while using it,’’ Ayomide said.

Mrs Amina Gafar, who sells firecrackers at Ojuwoye Area of Mushin Lagos, lamented the rising cost of the crackers.

“The price of banger this year is more expensive than last year but we thank God we still sell even with the price increase.

“Children are the ones buying lighter crackers but adults too, buy the bigger ones from us,’’ Gafar told NAN.

Mrs Ngozi Okebia, a mother said she encouraged her children to play with firecrackers “because it is fun and they only get to play with it during Christmas and New Year.

“I allow my children to play with the banger and I even give them money to buy it.

“It is only during December they have an opportunity to play with firecrackers,’’ Okebia said.

Another clergyman, Pastor Duke Edoho of the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), told NAN that “fireworks are man-made’’.

“Fireworks or banger as they call it represent human celebration in most cases,’’ Edoho said.

The clergyman said there were many things people do in the name of Christianity these days that had no basis in the scripture.

He said firecracker could be a danger if handled carelessly.

He called on government and security operatives to control  the use of firecrackers by young ones in the society.

NAN recalls that in 2012 and 2014, a warehouse of firecrackers in Balogun market, Lagos State exploded resulting in burning down several buildings. (NAN)
ZA/DAMI/AIB/GY
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-47

Centres

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Dec. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accredited 72 centres in Lagos State for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The State Coordinator of JAMB, Mr Sunday Aladegbaye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that 63 centres were accredited for the examination in 2017.

He said the increase indicated that more candidates were likely to participate in 2018 Computer Based UTME.

“”Preparations are in top gear for the examination in the state.

“”We have accredited 72 centres that have met our requirements for the conduct of the mock and the main examination in 2018.

“”But this figure can increase,’’ Aladegbaye said.

He warned mischief makers to desist from setting up strange centres for registration to defraud innocent Nigerians.

“”Experience has shown that some group of persons would create a strange website in the name of JAMB and be registering candidates to defraud them.

““This is misleading just as it is criminal.

“”We also wish to reach out to candidates to go to only approved centres for their registrations.

“”We (JAMB) will not be accountable for anything that happens to them.’’

The JAMB official said that the board would prosecute any person or group of persons caught operating any illegal or unaccredited registration centre for its examinations.

He said the board was prosecuting a fraudster in court for allegedly registering candidates for the 2017 UTME.

“”He operated the centre at a place very close to our Lagos office on Ojora way in Lagos.

““When he was caught, he did not show any remorse for his action.

““We will continue with the case until justice is achieved to serve as a deterrent to others.

““We are a credible organisation and feel strongly that things should be done the right way and with due process.

“”It is only logical that any person or persons willing to do business with JAMB, go through the right channel in order not to cause Nigerians pains,’’ he said. (NAN)

CCN/AIB/WOJ

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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Wale Ojetimi)

The Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos

NAN-H-19
Hostel
By Folashade Martins
Lagos, Dec. 15, 2017 (NAN) Students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba in Lagos are clamouring for the introduction of residency in the school system.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that lack of hostel facility was affecting their academic performance.

Miss Precious Ndubuisi, an ND II student, told NAN that lack of hostel facility in the institute was “tiring”.

“Many students reside far away from the school and they have to contend with heavy traffic that often delays them from getting to campus in time.

“The school management has prohibited students from missing lectures, but every morning, because of the traffic jam, many of us used to miss morning lectures,’’ Ndubuisi, who is the current “Miss NIJ” told NAN.

She said the lack of hostel accommodation was scaring many prospective students from applying to study at the institution.

“Many of us are not meeting up with the 70 per cent class attendance as stipulated by the school authorities because we always miss morning lectures.’’

Corroborating Ndubuisi’s view, an ND I student, Bisola Oshinbolu, lamented that coming to Ogba from Ibadan, every morning, was too stressful, adding that she had to look for accommodation in Lagos.

Oshinbolu said that although private accommodation was available around the school, they were very expensive for the average student.

“The hostels around here are expensive and I have to go home very early, which prevents me from socialising with my colleagues.

“I, therefore, appeal to the school authorities to find a solution to ease the accommodation problem facing the students,’’ Oshinbolu said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Students’ Representative Council of NIJ, Mr Richard Roberts, was pessimistic about the likelihood of the management resolving the accommodation problem soon.

Roberts said that before he gained admission into the school, he knew the tradition had been that students were expected to sort their accommodation issues by themselves.

“However, some lecturers are in partnership with estate agents to arrange private hostels for willing students,’’ he said.

A lecturer in the school, Mr Tolulope Ojemuyiwa, who also runs a private hostel, told NAN that he started the business as a way of assisting the students.

Ojemuyiwa said he started the “Immense Grace Hostel” in 2014.

“I started the accommodation idea in 2014, since the institute is non-residential.

“I discovered that majority of the students resided far from the school and this was affecting their academic performance,’’ he told NAN.

Ojemuyiwa boasted that many of the students in his hostel always performed well in their studies, “coming out in flying colours because the hostel is close to the school’’.

The Deputy Provost of the institute, Dr Jide Johnson, however, said it had been the idea of the founding fathers of the institute to run it as non-residential.

Johnson told NAN that the school had been non-residential from inception, because it was established for the training and retraining of Journalists.

“Unless the stakeholders of NIJ reconsider the existing policy to make it residential, there is nothing the management can do about it for now.

“We do not have any agreement with any association or any landlord or any agent concerning accommodation.

“Students on their own source for their accommodation and it is becoming a tradition that the old students help the new ones to secure accommodation,’’ Johnson said.

One of Africa’s premier institution in journalism, media and communication studies, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), is one of two foremost training Institutions for Journalism, media and communication studies in Nigeria and in Nairobi, Kenya.

The institutes were established in 1963 by the International Press Institute (IPI), with Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. (NAN)
FM/AIB/PIO

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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-24

Inmates

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Dec. 14, 2017 (NAN) No fewer than 50 prison inmates will sit for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to an official.

The Principal, Ikoyi Prisons School, Mr Idris Ibikunle, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, the school has prepared the inmates well for the examination as officials of the facility have stepped up efforts in ensuring an excellent performance.

“Right now, we are preparing about 50 of the inmates for the next UTME and by what I see, they are very determined to excel.

“We are yet to enroll them for the examination proper; we want to give a little more room for others interested so we can do the enrolment once.

“I am optimistic that we will enroll more than 50 of the inmates for the examination,’’ Ibikunle told NAN.

NAN recalls that earlier this year, 59 inmates were registered for the 2017 UTME out which 35 had their results released and are at various stages of  admission placement to tertiary institutions.

The principal also said 40 inmates were being prepared for the newly introduced 2018 January/February diet of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.

According to him, prisons officials were committed to ensuring that the inmates had nothing to lose, academically, despite their incarceration.

NAN recalls that the principal had, at the maiden edition of the facility’s Education Award ceremony recently in Lagos, said 20 of the inmates were running various courses in different disciplines at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

He said they were posting impressive performances in their chosen fields, ranging from Criminology, Security and Peace Studies, Theology, Business Administration to Mass Communication

He, however, highlighted some constraints facing the school in the prison facility.

“We are in need of stationery as well as the establishment of a befitting Computer Based Test (CBT) centre for our external examinations.

“We, therefore, call for support from well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to join hands with us in ensuring that the dreams of these persons are kept alive,’’ he said. (NAN)

CCN/AIB/PAD

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Peter Dada

NAN-H-

Parley

By Abdulfatah Babatunde

Lagos, Dec. 13, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, has extolled the contributions of religious groups towards the development of the State.

Ambode made the remarks  at an inter-faith parley he held with religious leaders at Lagos House, Ikeja.

He described the spiritual leaders as great partners and pillars in the effort to bring greater progress and prosperity to the state.

The governor commended the religious leaders for their roles in sustaining and promoting  peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in Lagos.

This, he said, has greatly aided government’s efforts in the delivery of services and dividends of democracy to the people, especially those at the grassroots.

Ambode remarked that the gathering was a “thanksgiving’’ for the mercy and blessing of God, who created an atmosphere of harmony that is making it possible to bring greater gains to the people.

He also appreciated the spiritual leaders for their roles in building this state of peace in Lagos and “for fine-tuning strategies and harmonious relationship among Lagosians’’.

“I thank you all for your ceaseless prayers and for all the spiritual efforts through the power of the pulpits and for sensitising your followers to follow the path of civility and lawfulness.

“The commendations and awards the State Government received from the National Hajj Commission and the Christian Conscience Group are all testimonies to your efforts and conduct as understanding and tolerant believers,’’ Ambode said.

According to him, it would not have been possible for anybody to successfully deliver, in vast and complex megacity as Lagos, without special spiritual touch.

He thanked God for the inspiration and spiritual direction that has given him the bigger space to touch many lives and advance humanity.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, praised the people of the state for choosing Ambode as the Governor of Lagos State.

“The clamour for a Christian governor during the electioneering period in 2015 was a justified request.

“I make bold to say that the governor did not disappoint the Christian and Muslim faithful, who vigorously requested for a Christian governor.

“Gov. Ambode has made both Christians and Muslims very proud,’’ the commissioner said.

Also speaking at the parley, Prof. AbdulLateef Adetona, the Head of Religious and Peace Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), recommended that the state government should encourage the teaching of religious studies in public schools.

Adetona said teaching religious studies would instil good morals in the minds of the children at their formative years.

He also called on leaders of religious groups to see themselves as partners in building a sustainable and enviable Lagos.

The don appreciated Gov. Ambode for decentralising activities of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to all the Local governments in the state.

“This is a right one in the right direction,’’ Adetona said.

Rev. Kehinde Babarinde of the Baptist Conference Lagos Central delivered a lecture titled “The Role of Religious Leaders in Nation Building’’.

Babarinde extolled the good efforts of the governor, describing his achievements as “life touching and very impactful to Lagosians’’. (NAN)

AIB/

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NAN-AE-2
Agriculture
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Dec. 13, 2017 (NAN) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged 300 million dollars (about N108 billion) in grants to support agricultural research which would help poor farmers to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

The foundation announced the commitment, which will run between 2018 and 2020, at the One Planet Summit in Paris on Monday.

The announcement is contained in a statement which was e-mailed to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The foundation said that the grants would assist farmers to address challenges of rising temperatures, extreme weather patterns (droughts and floods), diseases, poor soil fertility and attacks from crop pests.

Farmers in Africa and Asia are targeted to benefit from the grants.

“Two-thirds of the world’s poorest people live in Africa and Asia, and roughly 800 million of them rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

“These smallholder farmers play a negligible role in generating carbon emissions but they suffer some of the harshest effects of climate change.

“As the climate changes, farmers’ ability to produce crops to feed their families or earn an income will be increasingly threatened.

“Livelihoods will be destroyed and climate-related pressures could force people to abandon their homes and communities, in search of better conditions.

“Poor farmers in developing countries will need the most innovative tools and technologies to adapt to the effects of climate change,’’ the foundation said.

It stressed that there was an urgent need to equip the farmers with tools which could make their crop production more productive, sustainable and resilient in the face of a rapidly changing environment.

The announcement of the Gates Foundation is somewhat a direct response to the needs articulated by developing countries in their adaptation plans in crop improvement, protection and management.

“The Gates Foundation’s commitment comes in addition to a 318-million-dollar (about N114.5) commitment from the European Commission (EC), also announced on Monday, with additional commitments from the member states still to be finalised.

“Taken together, the funding from the EC and the Gates Foundation to help farmers increase crop yields, respond to environmental threats and adapt their farming methods to climate change will amount to over 600 million dollars (about N216 billion) over the next three years.’’

Besides, the Gates Foundation and the BNP Paribas Foundation, in partnership with the Agropolis Foundation, launched the One Planet Fellowship at the Paris summit.

The fellowship consist of a 15-million-euro (about N6.3 billion) five-year programme to support 600 young African and European researchers, who are working to help African farmers adapt to climate change.

Speaking at the summit, Bill Gates, co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that agriculture was the most promising path out of poverty for individuals and countries.

“The disproportionate impact of climate change on the world’s poorest people means that there is urgent need to help the poorest farmers improve their productivity in the difficult conditions that they continue to face.

“We are excited to join forces with the EC to drive forward research and innovation that will help farmers improve their crop yields, respond to climate pressures and have access to the latest developments in farming practices.

“Together, we can help smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods, lift more families out of poverty and contribute to a sustainable global food system,’’ Gates said.

NAN reports that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is involved in projects that are aimed at helping people to lead healthy and productive lives.

In developing countries, the foundation particularly focuses on improving people’s health and facilitating their efforts to overcome hunger and extreme poverty. (NAN)
PR/AIB/OOK
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-HE-1
Bills
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Dec. 12, 2017 (NAN) The Debt Management Office (DMO) says it will repay the N198.03 billion Nigerian Treasury Bills fully at maturity in December 2017.

A statement from the office made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos indicated that the amount consisted of two bills.

Details provided by the DMO show that N131.415 billion and N66.617 billion of NTBs will mature on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 respectively.

“Before now, the practice was to rollover NTBs at maturity.

“It will be recalled that the Federal Government had announced plans to refinance some maturing domestic debt with external borrowing,’’ DMO said.

The refinancing plan strategy was part of government’s overall debt management strategy of reducing Debt Service Costs.

Other objectives of this strategy are to free up space in the domestic market for other borrowers and achieve a sustainable debt portfolio mix of 60 per cent domestic and 40 per cent external.

In addition, the redemption over time will help reduce the refinancing risk associated with short-term borrowings through NTBs with tenors of 91, 182 and 365 days.

As at Sept. 30, NTBs accounted for 30.23 per cent of the FGN’s domestic debt of N12.5 trillion compared to the DMO’s target of a maximum of 25 per cent.

The DMO further stated that the NTBs would be redeemed primarily using proceeds of the USD500 million, raised through a Eurobond Issuance by Nigeria in November 2017.

“Nigeria had issued a dual-tranche 3 billion dollars Eurobond in November 2017 out of which 2.5 billion dollars is to part-finance the deficit in 2017 Appropriation Act.

“The balance of 500 million dollars is for the refinancing of domestic debt.’’

By redeeming the N198.032 billion NTBs, the Federal Government has been implementing its debt management strategy.

The DMO says it expects operators in the market to take advantage of this opportunity to develop other segments of the debt capital market such as corporate bonds.

It added that the strategy of enabling the private sector to access funds and at a lower cost, than was hitherto possible was consistent with the government’s policy of a private-sector led growth. (NAN)
PR/AIB/GY
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-42
NIREC
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Dec. 6, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has directed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to conduct an enumeration of religious centres across the state.

Ambode gave the directive while inaugurating 798 members of the NIREC appointed for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.

He was represented by Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs at the inauguration.

Cue-in audio

“One of the core functions you are going to discharge is the collation of religious institutions at the local government level.

“You must ensure that you compile a list of all churches, all mosques, all faith-based organisations and forward same to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“I must also urge you to work closely with the local government chairman and all other officials at the local government level.

“You are working directly with NIREC at the state level.

“Always make sure that you relate any matter that is beyond your capacity to the state NIREC and through the state NIREC, it will get to my office as the governor of Lagos State.

“Your meetings will hold quarterly and I urge you to have extra-ordinary meetings in cases of emergencies.

“I urge you to cooperate with the local government officials and do your best to promote peace and orderliness at the local government level.’’

Cue-out audio

Speaking earlier, the Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the state NIREC, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said the inauguration of the council at the local government level was a proactive step taken by the government.

He said that this would ensure continued peaceful co-existence among all people of diverse religious and ethnic groups in the state.

“Today, we are inaugurating the members of NIREC at grassroots and it is a proactive step on the part of our governor to ensure that the monumental development that Lagos State is witnessing today is not taken for granted.

“Muslims and Christians are in a better position to ensure that we continue to have peace and inter-religious dialogue as well as peaceful co-existence in Lagos State.

“We are, by this inauguration, taking inter-religious dialogue to the grassroots so that when crises arise, they are quickly nipped in the bud,’’ Yusuf said.

Also speaking, the co-chairman (Christian) of the state NIREC, Dr Israel Akinadewo, remarked that religious leaders must continue to educate their followers, especially the vulnerable ones at the grassroots.

“A Christian leader is a Christian whose actions and inactions are not only Christ-like but serves as a good example to younger Christians.

“Also in a country like Nigeria and irrespective of what they do for a living, many people are majorly Christians and Muslims.

“Within the NIREC, the people respect the opinions of their leaders, who they refer to as the representatives of God.

“Hence their views on any matter are taken very seriously.

“Religious leaders should not encourage wars, hatred and vengeance.

“They are to be firm in the discipline of any of their followers who take steps that work contrary to Godly teachings,’’ Akinadewo said.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami, commended Ambode for running a community-based government of inclusion by bringing governance down to the grassroots.

Folami said that by taking the NIREC activities to the grassroots, it would be easier for government to nip any crisis in the bud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 14 persons, comprising seven Muslims and seven Christians each, were appointed into the NIREC in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state. (NAN)
AIB/DOR/IS
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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Ismail Abdulaziz