Category: Community

Sallah

By Adepote Arowojobe

Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 16, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Mukhail Abiru (Lagos-East) on Sunday urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in spite of the socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

This is contained in his Eid-El-Kabir celebration message signed by his media aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Abiru also urged Nigerians to pray more and support President Bola Tinubu as he steered the ship of the nation at such a critical point in time of Nigeria’s history.

“I know all will be well with the country,” he said.

Abiru, Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, congratulated muslim faithful for seeing this  year celebration.

He urged muslims to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s submission to Almighty Allah’s will, calling  for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“I congratulate my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, and all Nigerians in Lagos East Senatorial District and Nigeria at large, as we mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

“I urge us to live in peace and harmony with everyone, and join hands with government at all levels, particularly President Bola Tinubu, as he makes frantic efforts to stabilise the nation’s economy and ensure lasting prosperity for Nigerians,” he said.

Abiru prayed that Almighty Allah  accept the worship and prayers of Nigerians.

“We commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s act of faith, obedience and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah,” he said.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

ADEX/EOB/SOA
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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Oluwole Sogunle

Participants at the one-day training in Kwara

Nutritionist advocates home, school gardening for green diet

Advocacy

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

Bode Sa’adu(Kwara), June 14, 2024 (NAN) A nutritionist, Mrs Aisha Hussein, says embracing the old practice of home and school gardening will teach younger generation the importance of greens in daily diet.

Hussein said this at a one-day training organised by the Kwara Government for local government officials.

The exercise held at Bode Sa’ad in Moro Local Government Area, had the theme: “Balanced Diet with Locally Sourced Food items”.

She said that malnutrition affects the physical and intellectual growth of children, emphasising the importance of a balanced diet through the use of locally sourced food items.

According to her, a healthy and balanced diet is good for everyone, especially mothers, for their babies through exclusive breastfeeding.

Hussein encouraged the participants to embrace the old practice of home gardening, which she said gives fresh vegetables at no cost, and school gardening teaching the younger ones the importance of greens in daily diet.

Mr Abubakar Bata, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, said the training was to sensitise the people at the grassroots.

He said it was also to maximise the use of locally sourced food items instead of chemically induced spices.

Bata, represented by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Mr Micheal Oyelowo, appreciated Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his foresight and leadership in bringing life back into nutrition and similar programmes with direct impact on the well-being of the citizens.

He said such programmes were long abandoned, but resuscitated by the present administration because of his desire in enhancing the lifestyle of residents.

Bata implored the participants to maintain the confidence reposed in them by increasing the tempo of effective and well-coordinated campaign to the hinterlands.

Earlier, the Director, Community Development in the ministry, Mr Abdullateef Mustapha, acknowledged the role of the present administration in ensuring that every indigene of Kwara was nourished.

Mustapha said that the training would be educative and explicit, as the resource persons were well grounded in their fields.

He urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity.

Mr Olalekan Arinde, Director of Personnel Management, Moro Local Government, expressed gratitude to Gov. AbdulRazaq for his efforts at improving the health and wellbeing of the people.

In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Community Development, Mr AbdulRazaq Babatunde, urged the participants to take the message of healthy living through locally made nutritious meals back to their people.

One of the participants, Mahmood Abdullahi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the training was long overdue and needed, especially in the rural communities.

He said the training would re-orientate the local government officials on their responsibilities to the healthy living of the people and the green environment.

NAN reports that participants were drawn from the five Local Government Councils in Kwara North Senatorial District, including the Head of Department (HOD) Health, Development Officers, State Community Development Officers, and Local Government Nutrition Focal persons. (NAN)

OJB/CEO/AMM

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Edited by Chidi Opara and Abiemwense Moru

FCT residents laud NGO for food items, cash donation

Items

By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Residents of Nyanya community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation for giving them food items, clothes and cash, for the Eid El –kabir celebration.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Comfort Ibiang, a widow, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said she was surprised at the gifts she received from the foundation.

“I am surprised for a woman to do what she is doing. You can see we are all happy.

“We are widows and less privileged and for her to come to our aid, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I am so grateful,” Ibiang said.

Ibiang, who appreciated the efforts of the founder of the foundation, called on the government and stakeholders to also assist them.

Mr Iyke Vincent, another beneficiary, said he was highly impressed and excited by the opportunity the occasion offered him and other less privileged people of the community.

“I never knew something like this can come up at a time like this considering the economic challenges of the nation and the situation of things.

“People are really hungry and for somebody to come at a time like this and alleviate our burden, no matter how little, is commendable.

“People in the Nyanya community are truly happy and we are celebrating her from the depths of our hearts,” Vincent said.

Earlier, Amb. Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the founder told NAN that giving back to the society was what gave her joy.

“Today is one of my happiest days because it’s what I love to do to put smiles on people’s faces,” she said.

She explained that her foundation was non-profit, committed to making a positive impact and to inspire hope for all Nigeria widows, orphans, less privileged and vulnerable people.

She said her vision was to create a society where women were empowered, children educated and persons with disabilities valued and everyone having equal opportunities to thrive.

Hadiza said that the funding of what she was doing was purely from her purse as a business woman, with no international sponsorship or donations.

On his part, Mr James Thomas, Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, said he was proud to offer support to the foundation with laudable objectives.

He said the foundation did well considering the reality of things, where people found it difficult to feed.

“The beneficiaries today shall never forget how the foundation has impacted their livelihood,” he said.

The Chairman said he was happy that the people expressed joy and delight.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

SET/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Abiru supports constituents with food packs ahead Sallah

Packs

By Adepote Arowojobe

Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 13, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Mukhail Abiru (Lagos-East) on Thursday distributed food packs to numerous households in his senatorial district, ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that beneficiaries were selected online by nomination or directly processed in all the 16  local government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) that make up the district.

The packs, containing rice, beans, wheat, macaroni, semovita and garri, were projected to reach some 9000 households in the senatorial district.

Abiru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, said the gesture was aimed at putting smiles on faces in the constituency during the coming celebration.

” I deem it fit to find a way to cushion impact of the hardship we have in the land, so today, 9000 people are to benefit from the division.

“Same is going on across the entire district, with no discrimination, irrespective of your affiliation or language.

“Some people are nominated by other persons, as far as you have a valid identification as resident of Lagos, you will get your pack,” he said.

Abiru, who was represented by his media aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun, advised residents to support the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The senator, who chairs the Southern Senators’ Forum,  said that the hardship was just for a little time

He said most of the policies were inevitable tough decisions which, though came with some pain and discomfort, would actually take the country to the promised land.

Abiru expressed optimism that his food packs programme would further cushion the impact of the hardship on Lagos East residents.

He said it complements other interventions of the federal  government in ensuring food security, commodity prices stability and various others by Gov, Babajide  Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

“If you look at Nigeria, democracy is growing, although we have our challenges, no doubt, we are hopeful that things will get better.

“I urge everybody to get involved in nation building and perform their civic duties as citizens to support the government.

“It is very important to have strong leadership to deepen our democratic ethos that will take us to the promised land.

“We are hopeful that the country will be better under the leadership of President Tinubu,” he said.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Abiru for his continual support and benevolence during challenging times, promising to support him during election periods.

Mrs Ayodele Souzan, one of them, appreciated the Senator and urged others to continue to pray for him to have a successful tenure and good health.

Mr Ayobami Shakiru, another beneficiary, warned members not to resell the items as earmarked on it — Not for sale.

He urged them to share among those who were not privileged but in need, in celebration of Sallah.

Abiru had, in June 2023, initiated a quarterly Food Packs Programme, as a direct response to the economic challenges faced by grassroots communities following the removal of the petroleum subsidy.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

ADEX/SOA
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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Educationist tasks parents on development of ward, children

Mindset

By Veronica Dariya

Bwari (Abuja), June 13, 2024 (NAN) An educationist Ms. Roseline Yuhe, on Thursday advised parents to pay more attention to the educational development of their children and wards.

Yuhe, also the proprietor of Berries World Montessori School, Bwari, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari, Abuja.

She reiterated the need for parents to get involved in the performance of their children.

Yuhe said that constant talking to children, encouraging exercise, curiosity and exploration, thinking through problems and solutions together were parts of necessary tools to raising a smart child.

She said: “Encourage your kids to see learning as a process, and that hard work encourages results; let them know that they will start as novices but gradually become better over time.

“When they are presented with hard tasks, they should see them as opportunities for growth instead of seeing themselves as failures.

“Don’t solve your children’s issues for them, instead, encourage them to focus on a single goal or problem and figure out how to achieve or solve it through creative thinking.

“This act stimulates the brain and teaches them that they are capable of working through obstacles on their own.”

Yuhe said that not only does physical exercise make children strong and healthy, but would benefit them mentally, built their brain cells and increase blood flow to their brains.

She added that these processes helped boost their confidence and increased their urge for learning at an early stage.

“Preschoolers are naturally curious but that inclination can decrease as kids get older, unless it is practiced and encouraged.

“Start by engaging them in topics that are of personal interest to them, even if it involves their favourite YouTube star or set of action figures.

“Ask questions to spark conversation, share your own interests explaining why they are appealing to you and you can also plan experiences like trips to museums, sporting events, or the movies.

“These will help you find mutual likes and inspire new discussions,’’ she said.

Yuhe asked parents to begin talking to children as infants, whether or not they understood what the sophisticated words meant.

This, she explained was key to getting their mental wheels turning and eventually, use context to figure out the words after listening severally.

She also said that teaching them to read books early would help them develop faster.

“Reading is a huge predictor of school success, so start reading with your babies long before they know what the words mean.

“Reading stimulates the brain; it builds a knowledge base about the world, and acts as the foundation of all future learning, including math and science.

“Make sure books are easily accessible in your home, model good reading habits by making sure your child sees you reading often.

“Talk to your kids about what you’re both reading to build conversational and reading-comprehension skills,” she said.

The proprietor said that being proactive as a parent was key and not waiting for new learning opportunities to present themselves to children.

According to her, parents must seek out activities outside of school that will help develop the different mental muscles of the children.

She, however, advised that parents must create snooze time for their young ones, as it was essential that children got the proper amount of rest regularly.

“Set a bedtime for your child and stick to it, follow the recommendations of pediatricians which are at least eight hours per night.

“With this time, not only will your children be more alert and ready to learn, they will have much happier attitudes,” Yuhe said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DVK/DE/AMM

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru

Violence
By Yetunde Fatungase
Ijebu-Ode (Ogun), June 13, 2024 (NAN) Ogun Government says it is joining forces with community leaders in Ogun East Senatorial District to promote advocacy and curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Ayotunde Lawal, made this known while speaking at a sensitisation programme for community gate-keepers (Olorituns) on Thursday in Ijebu-Ode.
Lawal reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that aligned with the agenda of building a safer future for all citizens.
She stressed the need for strengthening ties with community leaders in order to curtail violence against women and children.
The special adviser assured of government’s concerted efforts at improving the lives of the people of the state.
“As a government, we will continue to encourage and support our gate-keepers in each community, whose mission tallies with our agenda of ‘Building Our Future Together’.
“We will also continue to make life more meaningful for citizens, irrespective of their geographical locations, gender, religious and political affiliations,” she said.
Earlier, the Director, Women Empowerment Services, Mrs Wonuola Kassim, noted the vital roles being played by community leaders in reaching and impacting their people, hence the partnership to reduce GBV.
Speaking, the Chairman of Olorituns, Ijebu-Ode Council, Chief Adeola Alausa, commended the state government for organising the programme.
While stating that the programme was timely and essential in combating GBV, Alausa called for collective and government supports to end social vices in the society.
In her lecture entitled: “Understanding Gender-Based Violence and Response”, the ministry’s Gender Vocal Officer, Mrs Mariam Afolabi, highlighted different forms of violence, including physical, mental and psychological.
According to Afolabi, sexual assaults have devastating effects on the survivors’ emotion, resulting in anger, fear and sadness, even as she called on the community leaders and survivors to always speak up. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
YAF/CEO/WAS
Edited by Chidi Opara and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Educationist advocates improved education system for children’s development

Children

By Veronica Dariya

Bwari (Abuja), June 13, 2024 (NAN) Ms. Roseline Yuhe, a proprietor and education consultant has urged government and all relevant stakeholders in the education sector to improve on the education system, for the development of Nigerian children.

Yuhe gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Analysing the state of public schools in the country, she said that more value was needed for the future of Nigerian children, especially those in public schools.

“Many public schools suffer from poor infrastructure, including inadequate classrooms, lack of proper sanitation facilities, insufficient learning materials, and poorly maintained buildings.

“In some areas, students attend classes under trees or in dilapidated structures. Imagine little children sitting on the floor to learn and learning is supposed to take place in a conducive environment.”

Another challenge, Yuhe decried, was overcrowded classrooms.

According to her, the unfortunate challenge has extended to some private schools, where student-to-teacher ratios, far exceeds recommended standards.

“This makes it difficult for teachers to give individual attention to students and manage classrooms effectively,” she said.

Yuhe, however, said that improving school infrastructure was essential for creating a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment that benefited students, teachers, and the broader community.

“Learning in a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing environment can have positive psychological effects on students, boosting their morale, confidence, and enthusiasm.

“Investing in sustainable school infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings and environmentally friendly facilities, can teach students the importance of sustainability.

“Improved school infrastructure can lead to better educational outcomes, which in turn contribute to economic growth, where graduates are more likely to secure better jobs, start businesses, and contribute positively to the economy,” she said.

She added that supporting both public and private schools in communities with grants to further provide them with a conducive learning environment, was another proper way to invest in infrastructure development.

Yuhe also advised that policy makers could draft and insist on master plans that refused to tolerate slightly overcrowded classrooms in both public and private schools.

The process, she added, must be implemented and dedicated task forces of lawmakers could stay on top of such changes.

The proprietor also called for the need for professional development for teachers in these schools, while noting that underqualified teachers were tied to poor outcomes for pupils and students.

She added that policy makers must clarify standards for teachers seeking licenses to teach and also raise standards in areas where pupil/student outcomes were lowest.

She also opined that a curriculum review, to include more relevant content, such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship, was crucial and could better prepare students for the future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DVK/OJI/AMM

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Abiemwense Moru

Abuja traders decry rising food prices, seek government’s intervention

Food

By Ibironke Ariyo

Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Some residents and foodstuff traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the instability in produce prices as well as the worsening inflation in the country.

The residents and traders voiced their complaints in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Nduka Ndubisi, a food stuff trader at Aco AMAC Market, said that the unpredictability of food prices had limited the trade, as they could no longer take large stock.

Ndubisi said, “The prices of most food stuff items are currently unstable; we cannot even predict the prices anymore. This is tiring and frustrating.’’

A resident of Aco AMAC estate, Mr Victor Azikiwe, said that the rising cost of food items in the market was because of the hike in the price of petrol.

Azikiwe expressed concern that some sell a litre of petrol at N650 while others at N690, thereby affecting the cost of transportation of the goods.

“This contributed to the rise in food prices as the cost of transportation of foodstuffs across the country increased. For instance, Abuja to Ilorin is N18,000 as compared to N7,500 before now,” he said.

Another resident, Sherifat Musa, said that her major concern was on how people, especially the Muslims, would cope with the situation during Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

Musa stressed the need for the authorities to do the needful before things get out of control.

“Our annual celebration is here. How do we buy all we need?

“I am scared of going to the Market because I don’t know what I’ll meet there. It’s scary because the hike in price keeps going getting worse,” she said.

On her part, Hajiya Amoke Omole, a tomato and pepper trader at Gosa market, said that the, “ups and downs’’ in the price of produce had made most traders wary of the trade.

“We do not even understand the situation; the price of foodstuff has been fluctuating for a while now.

“The price of tomatoes is also fluctuating; last week, we bought a basket-full for as high as N100,000; this week, it is N130,000 per basket which means the price is high and unpredictable.

“Sometimes, when pepper becomes affordable, tomatoes become more expensive, but now everything is on the high side. In fact, pepper is now more expensive than tomatoes,” she said.

A civil servant, Mr Ibrahim Sule, described food as one of the most important basic needs for survival.

Sule said that its availability and accessibility were very important to any nation because its unavailability could lead to civil unrest, untimely death, malnourishment and more.

“Unfortunately, the price of food items in the markets has increased exponentially, daily.

“Nigerians have to spend more money these days before they can afford enough food for themselves and their families and this alone contributed enormously to the increase in food inflation.

“The current situation is beyond explanation. I think we need to pray and seek the face of God for his divine intervention,”he said.

Oluwaseun Soleye, a student in University of Abuja, said that only God could help in the situation affecting Nigerians and Nigeria as a whole.

Soleye opined that the country was suffering from a form of sin and God needed to forgive, “so we could overcome the issues bedeviling the country”.

“We have to turn to God and seek his forgiveness, because what is happening goes beyond human explanation. Imagine noddles (Super pack) of N80 before, is now N400 per one.

“To many of us, life has never been so difficult than what we are going through. Many households cannot afford three meals in a day,” she said.

Mrs Juliana Arome, a food seller, lamented low patronage by customers as a result of the hike in price of commodities and the low purchasing power of citizens.

Arome revealed that she had reduced the quantity of food she sells to her customers as “everything has gone high”.

She, however, called on the government to salvage the the people adding that there was need for stability in food supply.

“Imagine, maggi moved from N700 to N1,300 per pack and Spaghetti is N850. We are not making any gain, government please help us, this is too much for us,”she said.

A trader, Mrs Bose Oluwole, who sells groceries and provisions at Wuse market, believed that President Tinubu could address the situation and provide solutions to the disturbing concern.

Oluwole said, “before, we used to buy a bag of milk for 5,500, now it is N15,000.

“The loaf of bread that I used to buy from bakers at N600, now sells for N1600 to N2000 because of the high cost of the flour, milk and sugar.

“As traders, we are tired; we just sit under the sun getting nothing and we pay for shop and shade in the market,” she lamented.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

ICA/OJI/AMM

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Abiemwense Moru

Nigerians differ on gains of 25 years of uninterrupted democracy

Democracy

By Reporters

Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) A cross section of Nigerians on Wednesday in Abuja expressed divergent opinions on the gains that had accrued to Nigerians in the 25 years the nation had been in a democracy.

Some Nigerians, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that democratic government had yielded much result for the country, while others thought otherwise.

Mr Benjamin Otu, a resident of Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said democracy had impacted positively on Nigerians and the Nigerian economy.

According to him, democracy is gradually taking its roots in every facet of national life.

“Some of the rights and privileges enjoyed today resulted from a thriving democracy.

“Nigeria’s democracy has come a long way since 1999; all hands must be on deck to reposition it.”

A civil servant, Mr Rotimi Adeyemi, said that there was no alternative to a democratic government.

“Under democracy, we have freedom of expression and association, which was non-existent during the military regime.

”For the past 25 years, the people of Nigeria have imbibed and internalised the principles and culture of democracy.

“Most of the bills coming from the National Assembly and the change of government periodically, without any interruption, have shown that democracy has come to stay,” he said.

According to him, some of the problems faced by Nigerians can be traced to the military.

“Now, people associate freely and walk freely, power flows from the people. It is the people that decide who rules them,” he said.

Mr James Edoh, a businessman, said that democracy had given Nigerians the power to choose their leaders and hold them accountable.

“In contrast, the military rule we had was characterised by tyranny and oppression. It is often said that the worst democratic government is better than the best military government.

“It is better that we stay with the democratic government and improve on it than the military regime.

“A lot has been enjoyed by Nigerians in this democratic regime compared to the military regime. Like peace, job creation, among others,” he said.

Also, Mr Caleb Ezea, a trader, said that democracy allows for participatory governance.

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It gives voice to the common man.

“The voice of everyone is heard unlike military rule where tyranny reigns supreme,” he said.

Mr Ezekiel Ogbu, a civil servant, on his part, called for more transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s democracy.

Ogbu, who said that the country’s democracy was too expensive, urged the country to try another system of government.

Similarly, Mr Solomon Oladapo, a resident of Suleja, called for more progress at the level of development in the country.

He advised the government to close loopholes exploited to loot the nation’s wealth.

Miss Irene Nsiodo, a resident of Garki, said that democracy had brought stability in the political system turf.

“I believe that democracy has given hope for a brighter future for the people of Nigeria.”

“Freedom of expression has been given a chance to thrive, leading to the exposure of corrupt practices in various sectors of the economy,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Reporters/DE/AMM

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Abiemwense Moru