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Author: sarafina christopher

  • Women council urges schools to prioritise drug abuse prevention

    NCWS with the Principal and students of FSTC, Orozo

     

    Drug

    By Sarafina Christopher and Justina Auta

    Abuja, June 29, 2024(NAN) The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has cautioned students against drug abuse and advised schools to prioritise prevention initiatives to combat the ugly trend.

    The council gave the advice at an awareness campaign in Abuja to commemorate World Drug Day with the theme “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.”

    The campaign was held at Federal Science and Technical College(FSTC), Orozo.

    Mrs Geraldine Etuk, acting National President, NCWS, said that schools played a vital role in shaping the attitude and behaviour of young individuals towards substance abuse.

    She stressed that investing in prevention programmes within educational institutions was crucial to raising awareness, providing support and fostering a drug-free environment for students.

    “As a society, we cannot afford to overlook the devastating consequences of drug abuse, especially among our youth.

    “It is important that we take proactive measures to prevent and address this issue effectively,” she said.

    Etuk also appealed to school administrators to collaborate with local authorities, healthcare professionals and community organisations to create a network of resources to address the multifaceted aspects of drug abuse.

    Mr Nduka Augustine, Superintendent of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, FCT Command, utilised visual aids to showcase the adverse effects of various drugs.

    Augustine said the visuals aimed to dissuade students from engaging in such harmful practices.

    He advocated for the implementation of comprehensive drug prevention programmes encompassing education, counseling and support services for students at risk of substance abuse.

    Mr Fayomi Ayo, the Principal of the school, expressed appreciation to the council for bringing the awareness campaign stating that prevention was key in the fight against drug abuse.

    According to her, schools play a pivotal role in shaping a drug-free future for students.

    Ayo added that by heeding advice and investing in effective prevention strategies, youths could be empowered to make informed decisions, steer clear of substance abuse and contribute to a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council distributed sanitary and learning materials to the students.

    The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is marked on June 26 annually.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    SAF/JDA/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

  • Food security: Coalition lauds minister on agriculture sector reforms

    Reforms

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 26, 2024(NAN) The Coalition for Human Rights Promotion in Africa (CHRPA) has commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, on his viable reforms in the agriculture sector.

    Dr Emmanuel Agabi, convener of the coalition, gave the commendation at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He hailed Kyari’s visionary leadership, effective resource utilisation and strategic initiatives which had yielded significant progress in the past year.

    Agabi said the minister had made notable strides in enhancing food security and nutrition, improving market access and generating employment opportunities.

    He also acknowledged the minister’s other achievements including the successful inauguration of the 2023-2024 dry-season farming programme, the distribution of 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice and the development of 23 improved crop varieties.

    “Kyari has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to the agricultural sector, which has yielded remarkable progress in the past year.

    “His commitment to food security, sustainable agricultural practices, and farmer empowerment has set a strong foundation for a prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector.

    “Under Kyari’s leadership, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has made significant strides in enhancing food security and nutrition, improving market access and generating employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

    “The allocation of N309 billion towards these critical endeavors demonstrates the government’s unwavering support for the agricultural sector.’’

    Agabi further applauded Kyari for his dedication, vision and efforts, urging him to continue prioritising the agriculture sector as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.

    “Kyari’s leadership embodies a commitment to good governance, accountability and the promotion of human rights; thereby serving as a beacon of inspiration for exemplary leadership in the public sector.

    “His achievements include effective resource utilisation, agricultural transformation agenda, national agricultural technology and innovation policy, strategic initiatives, collaborative approach, rural infrastructure development, and climate-smart agriculture.

    “Kyari’s emphasis on scaling up these successes to improve food security and boost export potential reaffirms the government’s dedication to ensuring the agricultural sector remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.

    “The minister’s leadership has set a strong foundation for achieving the goals of the agriculture sector and contributing to the overall development of the nation,’’ he said.

    Agabi  hailed the minister’s commitment to good governance, accountability and human rights; serving as a beacon of inspiration for exemplary leadership in the public sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

     

    SAF/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

  • Ajimobi’s legacies will never be forgotten, Says lawmaker

    Ajimobi’s legacies will never be forgotten, Says lawmaker

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Rep. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, House of Representatives member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, has described late governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, as a true statesman whose legacies will never be forgotten.
    She said this why paying tribute to Ajimobi to commemorate his remembrance in a statement made issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
    Ajimobi passed away on June 25, 2020 at the age of 70 after a brief illness.

    Late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi

    According to the lawmaker, Ajimobi was an exceptional statesman who made indelible marks in public service.

    She also said the late former governor could best be described as the architect of modern Oyo State, saying he left the office with distinct legacies and achievements.

    “He Came. He lived. He Conquered the Myth. He was worthy leader”, she said.

    Akande-Sadipe, the House Committee Chairman on Ethics and Privileges, Assembly saluted late Ajimobi’s patriotic spirit.

    She said Ajimobi gave her the opportunity to serve in his cabinet, which was the platform she leveraged to be in the position to serve her people in Oluyole Federal Constituency.

    “Sadly the vacuum created by the demise of the former governor and Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi is clear to all”, she said.

    Rep. Akande-Sadipe said the late former governor made a significant impact in governance of Oyo state through many innovations and ideas. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

    SAF/KUA

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    Edited by Uche Anunne

     

  • UK is running out of jail space

    UK is running out of jail space

    Jail

    London, June 25, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Prisons are expected to reach full capacity within days, warned the Prison Governors Association (PGA) in England and Wales on Tuesday.

    “As this happens, courts and the police will no longer be able to freely and lawfully detain offenders,” said PGA in an open letter to political leaders in the UK.

    “This will put the public at risk, as people who should be in prison are left to roam the streets,” added the PGA.

    The latest data released by the UK’s Ministry of Justice shows that the prisoner population in the UK has reached 87,395, just 1,383 short of the total usable operational capacity.

    On May 15, the UK government triggered Operation Early Dawn, delaying the start of some court cases across England. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    DAMI/SAF/AMM

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    Edited by Sarafina Christopher and Abiemwense Moru

  • Institute urges stakeholders to address flooding 

    Institute urges stakeholders to address flooding

    Flooding

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 25, 2024(NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, has urged relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures to address the issue of flooding and prevent the loss of lives and property.

    Mr Nathaniel Atebije, the President of the institute, stated this during its 6th annual conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is t “What shall we say: gains or pains of democracy”.

    He said that the Federal Capital Territory and other areas are back to another regime of flooding due to poor drainage systems among others.

    “The flooding which ensued yesterday as a result of the downpour was speculated to have drowned some lives in a popular residential estate in Abuja.

    “Poor drainage systems have made the location flood-prone and vulnerable during the rainy season,”he said.

    Atebije said that actions designed to solve the problem are being impeded by court orders at the expense of human lives.

    “What value do we place on human lives as a nation? Can the value of that whole estate be equated to the lives lost?

    “We hereby call on Judges to consider the safety of human lives when granting orders to retain inconsistent developments.

    “This is an indicator of the need for continuous engagement with the various stakeholders in human settlements development.

    “For Judges, and anyone for that matter, to make decisions that are favorable to environmental sustainability, they must be enlightened about physical planning and human settlements development.

    “We particularly emphasise that the Federal Capital Territory and other affected areas need to take decisive measures on disaster preparedness and management,”he said.

    Atebije called on the government to put aside the relative success of its first year in office, to see the pains and agony of its population.

    “We must empathise with the tears running down the cheeks of Nigerians and focus on the years ahead.

    “This will bring a lot of gains, diminish a lot of pains, and then we can truly look forward to handing unto our children a banner without stain,”he  said.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

    SAF/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

     

     

     

  • German politician to pay £12,000 fine for insulting Bavarian leader

    German politician to pay £12,000 fine for insulting Bavarian leader

    Fine

    Deggendorf, Germany June 25, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The leader of the Bavarian state branch of the far-right Alternative for Germany is to pay a fine of 12,000 pounds (12,870 dollars) over insulting comments about Bavaria’s state premier.

    The AfD’s Stephan Protschka derided Bavarian state premier Markus Söder as “Södolf”, an apparent reference to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

    He also called him a “traitor to the country” at a political event on Ash Wednesday in 2023 .

    The local public prosecutor’s office had brought a case against Protschka, but on Tuesday agreed to drop the proceedings in exchange for Protschka’s agreement to pay the fine.

    The dismissal also came after Protschka’s defence attorney made a statement to the court in which he said that the AfD politician did not intend to insult Söder

    The AfD politician intended to make a point in a political debate.

    Protschka did not intend to make allusions to Germany’s dark Nazi era, but instead had picked up on terms used by a previous speaker, his lawyer asserted.

    Protschka now has until the end of August to pay the fine, said the judge.

    In April, the Deggendorf district court had sentenced another speaker at the same event, the Austrian politician Gerald Grosz, to a fine of almost 15,000 pounds for insulting Söder.

    Grosz had used the same terms as Protschka to describe Söder, the leader of Bavaria’s centre-right Christian Social Union (CSU).

    Grosz argued in the court that his statements were satire, and appealed the verdict.

    A court spokesman said the verdict against Grosz was not yet legally binding. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DAMI/SAF/HS

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    Edited by Sarafina Christopher/Halima Sheji

  • Sudan spiraling into chaos. UN agency warns

    Sudan spiraling into chaos. UN agency warns 

    Chaos

    Khartoum, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday said Sudan continues to spiral into chaos, with the humanitarian crisis worsening.
    “The lives of 800,000 people; women, children, men, the elderly and people with disabilities are hanging in the balance as bombing and shelling continues in densely populated areas.
    This caused widespread and long-term harm to civilians and severely disrupted the essential services they much depend on,” the OCHA said in its latest update on Monday.
    Over the past three months, it noted, up to 143,000 people may have been displaced from Al Fasher, the capital city of Sudan’s North Darfur State.
    The people were displaced as a result of clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
    The intensifying fighting in and around Al Fasher has claimed over 300 lives, according to Ibrahim Abdullah Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State’s Health Ministry.
    Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023.
    According to recent estimates by the OCHA, the conflicts have so far claimed more than 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DAMI/SAF/SH

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    Edited by Sarafina Christopher/Sadiya Hamza

  • Organisation seeks more blood donors to save lives

    Organisation seeks more blood donors to save lives

    Blood

    By Sarafina Christopher and Eletta Mercy

    Abuja, June. 22, 2024 (NAN) Jela Development Initiative (JDI) a non-profit organisation has appealed to the public to generously donate blood to alleviate the critical shortage of blood supply in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide.

    The organisation made the appeal in Abuja  on Saturday, in collaboration with the National Blood Service Commission and Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, during a blood drive.

    The blood drive is themed “Be a hero, donate blood and save lives”.

    Mrs Angela Ochu-Baiye, the CEO of JDI, stressed the importance of providing blood donations to aid patients in life-threatening conditions.

    Ochu-Baiye, represented by Ms. Oluchi Ihezie, Programmess Assistant at JDI, highlighted that blood donation was a noble and selfless act that could profoundly impact someone’s life.

    “The organisation is dedicated to promoting voluntary blood donations, recognising the challenges many face in accessing blood due to its high cost.

    Ihezie further stated that there was a surging demand for blood not only within the nation but also across the continent and globally.

    “Patients requiring blood, such as those grappling with severe illnesses like cancer or undergoing intensive medical treatments, heavily rely on blood transfusions for their survival,”she said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Omotayo Ottun, Donor Recruiter NBSC, pointed out that blood donors not only contribute to a life-saving cause but also benefit from comprehensive medical check-ups prior to donation, promoting overall health and well-being.

    “The main targets of the donation are the excess blood in your system, which the body is not using, a sachet of that blood after every three months for men and four months for women can save three people’s life.

    “Donations also help to produce new red blood cells making it more active in your system, it helps burn calories and also regulates the heart effectively,”Ottun said.

    Mr Theophilus Apeh, representing the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, expressed gratitude to all blood donors for their invaluable contributions to the humanitarian endeavor.

    Apeh also urged the relevant authorities to ensure that donated blood reached patients in need without imposing any financial burdens.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an anonymous first-time blood donor shared her experience in partaking in the noble cause and overcoming initial apprehensions surrounding blood donation.

    She also expressed appreciation for the rigorous screening procedures carried out to ensure donor eligibility and blood safety.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

    SAF/AMM
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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Social protection can douse economic crisis – IPCR DG

    Social protection can douse economic crisis – IPCR DG

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Dr Joseph Ochogwu, the Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), has described social protection as a policy instrument with the potency to douse socio-economic crisis in the country.

    Ochogwu made the description on Wednesday in Abuja at a conference on “Social Protection and Economic Uncertainties in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Societies”.

    The conference was organised by  Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa, a knowledge platform for research on conflicts, political violence, and peacebuilding in the sub-region.

    The director-general of IPCR said since 2015, social protection “has become an important policy instrument used by the Federal Government” to tackle inequality nationwide.

    “We have studied some strategic conflict assessments of Nigeria and several other studies which have identified poverty and unemployment as the major drivers of conflict across the country,” he said.

    He added that there is a wide gap between policies and their actual implementation.

    “We have embarked on this conference journey because we believe that we will go further to showcase social protection as a policy that requires much more empirical information to inform policy and practice.

    “There is no doubt that there are obvious gaps in the implementation of social protection, depending on the population category we are targeting alongside,” he said.

    In her remarks, Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, reiterated the global body’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

    “Our work in this country reflects our dedication to supporting the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

    “We strive to ensure that these children receive the protection, education, healthcare, and nutrition they need through government-led social protection systems.

    “We must address the pressing issue of economic uncertainty in fragile and conflict-affected societies and support the government in defining social protection measures relevant to the needs of the citizens; the financial hardships families face in such regions exacerbate the already daunting challenges,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) 

    SAF/YEE

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    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Explosions hit ammunitions depot in Chad, causing casualties

    Explosions hit ammunitions depot in Chad, causing casualties

    Explosions

    Yaounde, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) A huge fire at an ammunition depot occurred Tuesday night in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, causing casualties, the country’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno reported.

    “A fire in ammunitions depot at the strategic reserve camp caused human and material damage.”

    Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and speedy recovery to the injured,” Mahamat Deby said on his social media platforms early Wednesday.

    “An investigation will be opened to determine the causes and apportion responsibilities,” he added.

    Local media reported that the fire was followed by many explosions at the camp, located in the city’s Goudji neighbourhood.

    The explosions triggered stored heavy weapons that landed in inhabited neighbourhoods, reports said. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DAMI/SAF/AMM
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    Edited by Sarafina Christopher and Abiemwense Moru