Category: Community

Drugs

By Veronica Dariya

Bwari (Abuja), June 26, 2024 (NAN) Miss Mariam Gbadebo, founder, The Mag Foundation, an NGO, has harped on the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle while staying away from excessive use of drugs to avoid health complications.

Gbadebo said this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, at the sidelines of an awareness campaign for the boy child, in Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the campaign was organised by Restore Hope for the Boy Child Initiative, in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

It was in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Gbadebo, a health advocate and also a kidney disease survivor, noted that living healthy to avoid being ill, was key to abstinence from drug use.

“One key thing to note is for the young ones to know that it is very necessary to preserve your health and if possible, stay away from continuous use of drugs for certain illnesses because it could damage your organs.

“I know this from past experience, not because I abused drugs but because of a failed health condition and that too many drug use from sicknesses due to unhealthy living can actually break down your organs.

“This is why we are here to let the young ones know that apart from staying off illicit substances, living a healthy lifestyle is also crucial at this point of their lives.”

According to her, alcohol and other illicit substances were a risk factor to losing a good health status, while adding that five minutes of pleasure was not worth loosing ones health, dreams and aspirations.

Gbadebo, listed some of the effects from the intake of illicit substance and unpriscribe drugs among youths that can cause diseases, such as kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, liver failure among many others.

“This is why we aim to make as many as we can reach out to, know the importance of staying healthy to avoid damage to these critical organs of the body, ” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Nduka Augustine, Superintendant of Narcotics, NDLEA FCT Command in Gudu, said that the initiative was well targeted at the respective audience.

Nduka, said that the boy child had lost the attention of the society, as focusing on empowering the girl child and neglecting the main culprits of social vices.

He added that the agency was bent on adopting preventive strategies in line with the United Nation’s theme for the 2024 campaign as:” The Evidence is clear; invest in prevention.

“We have rehabilitation centres in each of our offices in every state but treatment and recovery from drug and substance abuse is a great challenge.

“This is why prevention is key and catching these young ones before they are introduced or initiated into illicit substance use is paramount.

“We are open to partnerships and collaborations with organisations and associations to reach out to as many as we can because; the agency cannot do this alone.”

In his address, Dr Babatunde Kayode, Executive Director, Restore Hope to the Boy Child Initiative, said that the organisation believed that investing in prevention was key.

He added that the plan was to invest in programmes that will educates the youths on the dangers of drug abuse, provide support services for those struggling with addiction, and promote healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyles.

He, however, cautioned  the students to stay away from peer pressure, social influence, low self-esteem and lack of confidence and negative influence of social media. (NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

DVK/HS

====

Edited by Halima Sheji

(more…)

Ikorodu residents send SOS to Lagos Gov.

Invasion

By Adepote Arowojobe

Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 25, 2024 (NAN) Some residents of TOMEC Estate in Ikorodu, on Tuesday appealed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene in a face off with its Local Government Development Authority.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the TOMEC Community Development Association (CDA), is made up of four estates, including T.O.S Benson, Toma 1, Toma 2 and Coker.

NAN also reports that the face off between residents of the estate and the LCDA Chairman, Mr Lanre  Sulaimon, is for constructing an events centre by the only access road to the entrance of the four estates.

The CDA Chairman, Mr Oladapo Bello, alleged that the LCDA chairman invaded the community with hoodlums to forcefully open one of their gates to outsiders.

According to him, more than 80 per cent of  occupants of the over 25 -year old estate are civil servants and retirees of Lagos State Government, who now live in fear due to vulnerability to insecurity after the invasion.

“I was called that hoodlums and area boys came to attack and invade our estate with dangerous weapons.

“However, they also alleged that the council chairman was with them.

“One of the security men also alleged that they were attacked, while one of them was taken away by the hoodlums.

“We appeal to Gov. Sanwo-Olu to set up a  committee to look into the matter, so that people will no longer live in fear,” he said.

Mr Muftau Tawakalitu, a 67- year old resident of the estate, urged  the governor to immediately set up a panel of enquiry to mediate and find a lasting solution to the disagreement between the council and the community.

Tawakalitu alleged that he was beaten up  by the hoodlums, “my eyes turned red, till now, I have pains in my chest”.

“This disagreement is simply over a gate we contributed our resources to build for security.

“When we had issues on this same gate years ago, the then governor, Babatunde Fashola, came to see things himself and directed that the back gate be permanently locked  for security reasons.

Also Mrs Folashade Bashua, a retiree and resident of Coker Estate, appealed to Sanwo-Olu, to caution the management of the council, adding that residents no longer sleep with two eyes closed.

Responding, the LCDA chairman denied attacking any resident of the estate nor did he go there with hoodlums.

He told NAN that the problem started when the council decided to build an events centre, to generate additional internal revenue on a portion of land owned by the council.

According to him, the road is a public road and cannot be used by the estate alone.

He explained that the only access road, which is the estate gate is supposed to be for the public use but was always locked, in contravention of the Lagos State Laws on gated streets.

The chairman said he went to the estate to inspect the access road with members of his management team, who were trying to protect him against being  mobbed by the estate residents at the time.

“I came inside the estate with my management team and the security men challenged us at the gate, asking us to pay.

“They usually collect toll fees from everybody including the council officials without permission from the council.”

“I told them the council could no longer tolerate erecting of  illegal gates without permission, so I called the police.

“When i received their petition sometime ago, i called for a meeting, because I wanted to ask them to register their streets with the council but they never showed up.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ADEX/CHOM/IFY
===============

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ifeyinwa Omowole

Farmer docked for allegedly making neighbour’s rams escape

Uni-Abuja VC charges new students on hard work

Matriculation

By Uche Bibilari

Gwagwalada (FCT), June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has charged the newly admitted students of the university to work hard and shun cultism as future leaders of Nigeria.

Na’Allah gave the charge during the matriculation of over 4,000 newly admitted students, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He urged them to be law abiding in relations with their matriculation oath.

“What we do not accept as a university is a membership of cultism, to which you have taken oath today.

“This is because if you do cultism, we will show you the way out and hand you over to the police because you are a criminal.

“We want to train you to be among the solution of Nigeria not among the problems of Nigeria.

“We frown at any undesirable behaviour even by student to another student; we do not allow bullying or exploitation of any kind. The degree is for learning and character.

“We insist that you must be of good behaviour, if not the university will show you the way out,” he said.

The vice chancellor, who warned the students not to buy any books or handouts from lecturers, added that any student caught would be shown the way out of the institution.

“No lecturer is allowed to sell handouts or books to any student; you can purchase necessary books from the school bookshop.

“They can recommend books and you go and purchase it from anywhere in the world or look for it in the library.

“If you buy a book or handout from class governor that aid lecturers to sell handouts, if you are caught you will be shown the way out,” he said.

He disclosed that the university had completed the sexual harassment policy for the university, which the management approved.

According to him, the sexual harassment policy is a policy that forbids any form of sexual harassment on campus.

“No lecturer or staffs have the right to sexually abuse any student. No staff is accepted to abuse any staff sexually.

“Sexual harassment is not only when they touch you in an appropriate way or when they force you to have sexual emotions with you.

“It is when they verbally abuse you sexually,” Na’Allah said.

He warned students that if they did not report such act and the school found out, they would be treated the same way as the perpetuator.

Na’Allah also disclosed that UniAbuja gives research grants to undergraduate students, to carry out research works and find solutions to national problems and problems of humanity.

He said that the students could embark on so many researches with the supervision of their lecturers, adding that the university would always support them.

“The institution has career and counseling services, where students with any form of emotional or psychological problem can get counselling.

“Our goal is to make you happy and strengthen you, as you carry out your academy programme in the university.

“We encourage you while engaging in your academic pursuit to also participate in sporting activities. We have different supporting equipment here on campus for your wellbeing,” he said.

He urged the students to be of good behaviour and conduct in order to make their parents and the institution proud.

He also said that UniAbuja would continue to provide an enabling environment for their academic pursuit.

Na’Allah, therefore, congratulated the new students for being admitted into the university out of several candidates that chose the university as their preferred choice.

Ms Sandra Adejor, one of the matriculants, expressed joy and satisfaction to be in her preferred school and course of choice, adding that she would make her parents and the school proud. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

UU/DE/AMM

===========

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru

Widows, others laud Foundation over food, grants

Donation

By Angela Atabo

Abuja ,June 25,2024 (NAN)Widows and indigent women in Dawaki community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have lauded the Nikki Udezue Foundation for donating food items and grants to ameliorate their plights.

They expressed their appreciation during an outreach organised on Tuesday by the Foundation in Dawaki, Bwari area of Abuja.

The event was sponsored by an individual marking her birthday under the #BecauseICan initiative of Nikki Foundation.

The founder of the, Nkeiruka Udezue, said after distributing the items that the outreach was sponsored by a Nigerian based in the United Kingdom marking her birthday.

She said  that the gesture was to help alleviate the sufferings of the vulnerable Nigerians, considering the biting economic hardship.

“As a Foundation, our core values are transparency and delivering on our mandate of positively impacting the lives of people, especially the less privileged in our society.

“We are glad that Nikki Udezue Foundation is now collaborating with both local and international donors to assist the vulnerable people.

“We serve as middlemen between public spirited donors and beneficiaries. Our commitment is that whatever that is sent to us shall be extended to the needy in our society,’’ she said.

She said that the organisation had carried out many projects for women and children, and encouraged well-meaning Nigerians and governments to do more to assist many Nigerians.

 “We are glad that Nigerians in the diaspora are reaching out to foundations to assist people through grants, clothing and food items.

“Truly Nigerians are faced with tough times and a lot is needed to help them live,’’ she said.

Udezue said that  the foundation is currently distributing 20 bags of rice, oil, and other food items with a grant of N20, 000 each to 20 women.’’

A beneficiary, Ms Sadatu Hussaini, said she was grateful to the foundation for the gesture,  noting that the gifts would help reduce the current difficulties their families were passing through.

“Some of us don’t even have a cup of rice in our houses, with these items now; my children will eat well today.

“We appreciate and thank you very much for doing all these for us and God will bless you and the birthday celebrator,’’ she prayed.

Mrs Ruth James, another beneficiary commended the individual donor as well as the foundation for remembering the vulnerable in these  hard times.

“We have not been able to buy rice for some time now because of the hike in the price of the commodity since `mudu’ went up to N3, 000 and above, but with this gesture, we will cook rice today,’’ she said.

Mrs Funke Ojejinro prayed that God would bless the donor and the foundation for the kind gesture.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ATAB/FEO/JPE

============

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Joseph Edeh

Nasarawa residents seek improved services at community health centre

Health

By Anita Uzoagba

Karu (Nasarawa state), June 25, 2024 (NAN) Some residents in Ado, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state have sought improved services from the government at the community health centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, while some of the residents commended the health care workers at the health centre for their continued efforts, others implored them to do better.

One of the residents, Miss Ngozi Ndukwe, a lawyer in the community, said that basic amenities were needed in the health centre and should be provided by the government to ensure effective service delivery.

“Government should provide at least basic amenities in the hospital, like electricity or solar power. Good hospital equipment should be put in place.

“The government should engineer policies that will be captivating in order to attract health care workers abroad, who are willing to come back to Nigeria.

“More doctors should be on duty to limit long waiting time, ‘’ Ndukwe said.

Also, Mr Albert Udoukpong, a resident, described the health centre as a place that needed urgent attention from the Federal Government.

Udoukpong, a youth corper, said more funding should be put in place for healthcare services.

“The hospital has qualified medical doctors but they are not enough.  In the case of emergency, they will not be able to cope with the pressure.

“If you are really sick and you come here, you will have to wait for a long time to see a doctor.

“The health care centre has impacted on the community but it can be better. I do not spend much money whenever I come here unlike in the big hospitals,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Abdulhafeez Ibrahim, an electrician, noted that although the health centre was lagging behind in some areas but there are also improvements.

“I think we should exercise patience as we will witness enormous improvements soon.

“The health centre services have been impactful with the little they have.

“The government should bring more capable medical staff in order to reduce the work load and also help the community,” he said.

According to Ibrahim, helping the community means funding the health centre with quality medical equipment and amenities.

“If the government considers all these, it will help us all,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AU/DE/AMM

==========

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru

We can no longer plan our meals, FCT residents cry out

Food

By Vivian Eze/Veronica Dariya

Bwari (Abuja), June 21, 2024 (NAN) A cross section of residents of the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says they can no longer fend for their  families due to the rising cost of foodstuff .

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that eating beans and yam have become a luxury due to its high cost.

This, they said, had affected their domestic food time table, making it impossible to eat varieties.

Mrs Glory Ocholi, a mother, said that beans have become so expensive that it is  difficult to buy in bulk as she usually does to help in her nutrition plan.

“Before now, I used to buy 10 mudus of white beans for between N9, 000 to N10, 000, at N900 to N950 each.

“While the red one was usually slightly above N100 or N200.

“Currently,  white beans cost  N2,800 while  red beans are sold for N3,000 to N3,500 , yam, Irish and sweet potatoes are also very expensive,  it is only the rich that can afford them.

“You cannot buy corn or sorghum, vegetables are a no-go area, so at the end of the day, our children are forced to eat whatever we can provide,’’ she said.

Ocholi said that buying foodstuff at a higher cost had forced her to take off meals like ‘akara’ and pap which used to be a Saturday morning meal in her home.

She appealed to both the government and Nigerian Food Products Suppliers and Manufacturers to find ways to address the situation.

Mr Habila Makama, said that he could no longer afford certain foods in his household due to the high prices.

“I used to compliment yam with sweet or Irish potatoes when yam is not in season but now, I cannot afford any of them.

“Sweet potatoes that used to be the cheapest are also expensive. Rice is the only available food now in spite of the cost.

“We eat it every day of the week and probably exchange it with any available swallow with the soup you can afford,’’ he said.

A NAN correspondent who visited the  Dutse-Alhaji market reported that five big tubers of yam now go for a negotiable price of N12, 000 to N14, 000.

At Karu market, corn and millet which previously sold for N850 and N900, is now being sold for N1, 300 per mudu.

NAN also reports that a bag of corn which was previously sold for N40, 000 and millet for N65, 000, are now being sold for N90, 000 per bag.

One of the traders in karu market, Mallam Bashiru Ahmed, said that prices of goods fluctuate daily and could increase by 20 per cent or more, within a week.

He said that traders sometimes go to the market to buy a bag of beans for N160, 000, but end up buying for between N180, 000 or N200, 000 due to price fluctuation.

Ahmed attributed the high cost to transportation of the goods from the northern states to the distribution units or towns, where other middle men or traders go to buy from.

“The cost of transportation has contributed to the increase in cost of these foods and it has really affected our business.

“We had to increase the price of grains to meet up with the expenses in logistics, and this is making our customers complain, thereby affecting patronage,’’ he said.

He pleaded with the government to put in place measures that could salvage the cost of transportation and control market price for grains.

This, he said would stop distributors and sellers from inducing unnecessary price increase.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

VEN/DVK/DE/JPE

=============

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

AbdulRazaq charges on recognition of indigenous culture, heritage

Culture

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

Igbaja (Kwara), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Friday charged the people of Igbaja on continuous recognition of the rich cultural heritage and diversity that make the community unique in the state.

AbdulRazaq said this when he attended the 2024 Igbaja Day celebration.

He congratulated the Elese of Igbaja, who doubles as the Jagunmolu of Igbaja and founder of Al-hikmah University, Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, and all sons and daughters of Igbaja community on the celebration.

He advised the people to continue to unite for accelerated growth.

“Let us embrace and celebrate our diversity and continue to build bridges of understanding and empathy.

“As you are aware, our administration has embarked on various projects that touched the lives of everyone across the state, including Igbaja land.

“We will continue to do more to improve the lives of our people,” the governor said.

In his response, Chief Oladimeji appreciated AbdulRazaq for time management, and many laudable programmes and projects in the town and across the state.

He prayed that God would continue to support the AbdulRazaq-led administration to do more for the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OJB//FON/AMM

=============

Edited by Florence Onuegbu and Abiemwense Moru