Category: General News

There’s no better alternative to democracy, says Bala  Mohammed

Democracy
By Olaide Ayinde

Bauchi, June 12,  2024 (NAN) Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that there is no better alternative to democracy as a form of government.

Mohammed made the declaration in his goodwill message on the occasion of the 2024 Democracy Day celebration.

“As Nigeria celebrates  its 25th Democracy day, it   is a testimony to the fact that democratic governance has not only been firmly rooted but has also come to stay in the country ,” he said.

Mohammed reiterated the commitment of his administration to accountability and transparency in governance, pledging that the resources at the government’s disposal would continue to be judiciously used for the common good of the people of the State.

“We will continue to ensure value for money for the projects that would be executed. To this end, the resources we have would be deployed for maximal effect on the socio-economic development of the State.

“We cannot afford to embark on projects that have little or no effect on the wellbeing of the generality of the people of the State,” he said.

The governor noted that the current economic hardship being experienced as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy was a national problem that has been receiving the attention of both the federal and state governments.

He said the Bauchi state government in collaboration with relevant federal government agencies have been taking appropriate measures by providing palliatives in form of food and non food items to bring succour to the people.

The governor also promised to continue to work hard to bring the hardship to an end and appealed for the people’s continued understanding and cooperation as the government strives to salvage the situation.

He said his administration would be boosting agriculture through provision of adequate inputs, encouragement of farm mechanization and deployment of extension workers to guide farmers for improved crop production and animal husbandry.

“The solid minerals and tourism sectors would also be given the priority they deserve.

“Government would also continue to provide an enabling environment to facilitate the ease of doing business for the establishment of new commercial enterprises and improve the existing ones. 

“Small and medium enterprises would also be supported to thrive,” said the governor. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

EED/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Group seeks police support to combat GBV in Kaduna

By Moses Kolo

GBV

Kaduna, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) team of the Diocese of Kaduna Nazarene Rural Health Ministry of the Anglican Diocese has sought the partnership with the Kaduna State Police Command to tackle the menace.

The faith-based group is seeking synergy on massive sensitisation against GBV offences to effectively curtail the ugly trend.

Rev. Victor Eboh, Desk Officer of the group, led the team alongside members of the Anglican Compassion and Development initiative (ACADI) on a visit to the command.

The advocacy visit specifically the Officer in Charge of Gender and Family Support Unit (O-C Gender), SP David Dominic

Eboh said the visit was to seek collaborative support and networking of the police with the Church of Nigeria project.

He said: “The Church of Nigeria Transformational response to gender-based violence seeks to address GBV using biblical teaching, sensitisation, community engagement, dialogue, focus group discussions among others.

“We have had quite a number of consultative and advocacy visits to communities including traditional rulers on the same course.

“Our aim is to ensure a heightened awareness of what GBV entails and create confidence amongst vulnerable members within our communities to voice out when the need arises.

“It is our hope that the Gender and Family Support Unit of the NPF in Kaduna would give us the necessary backing to actualise this laudable initiative”..

Responding, Dominic commended the team, describing the initiative as a bold step in the right direction.

Dominic pledged the command’s support and commitment to the project upon the approval of the Commissioner of Police. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MGK/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Leprosy mission says 2,500 new cases discovered annually

Leprosy

By Diana Omueza

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has disclosed that nearly 2, 500 new cases of leprosy are discovered annually in Nigeria.

Dr Sunday Udo, the National Director of the mission in Nigeria, said this at its Open Minds Project close-out meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Open Minds project is a 4 year mental health project initiative focused on young people affected by leprosy and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The project was implemented in FCT, Kebbi, and Sokoto States, respectively.

Udo said that for over 10 years, the mission had found and equally treated thousands of leprosy cases in the country; however, 90 per cent of the Nigerian population remained protected from the disease.

“ TLM works in about 30 countries across the world, including Nigeria, and every year, we find approximately 2,500 new people that have leprosy in this country.

“We work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and in partnership with the National Leprosy Control Programme that we support.

“Over the last 10 years, we have found thousands of cases and treated equally that large number, but the interesting thing is that there is a large backlog of those who have already developed disabilities.

“They run into hundreds of thousands of people, and what we do is to support them with care after cure,“ he said.

Udo said that the mission had raised awareness on the impact of leprosy on the mental health of affected persons and the need to end stigma and discrimination.

He said that the mission had also provided those with disabilities from leprosy with disabilities services and complication management from the disease across different referral centres.

The TLMN country leader also said that the mission was supporting affected persons with livelihood, stating that due to stigma, many of those affected had lost their sources of livelihoods and needed such supports.

He sensitised Nigerians that leprosy was not a death sentence, adding that it was a bacterial infection that was curable, just like tuberculosis, which was curable with the right treatment and medication.

According to him, tuberculosis and leprosy are curable, and there are antibiotics that we give and once you take the medications within six to twelve months you will be fine.

He advised the public to eat well and avoid crowded areas, boost their immunity, and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to be healthy and remain immune to all kinds of diseases, including leprosy and other bacterial infections.

Udo urged the Federal Government to continue to support the mission and the national leprosy programmes and technical working group to live up to its mandates.

Ms Heather Saranne, Programme Officer, TLM Great Britain, lauded the leprosy mission in Nigeria for its valuable impact in the lives of those affected in the country.

Saranne said that the Nigerian team was so valuable globally, and the British TLM would continue to work with the mission to carry out programmes that would directly improve the lives of affected persons.

“We have been in communication with the team at the leprosy mission in Nigerian because we can’t do this work without them, and because they do all the hard work.

“We have reviewed their performance against achievement and towards the target and the budget, we have done project visits with partners, we have met with projects clients to hear about the things that have gone well.

“We will work together to adopt any of those projects activities accordingly, we also act as the liaison between the project and the relief that will be reporting along with the team here in Nigeria.

“The relationship that we have with the leprosy mission in Nigeria is so valuable that we can’t put into words,“ she said.

Saranne said that based on the testament of the impact on affected persons, there was a need to sensitise the public on mental health issues caused by leprosy stigma and discrimination.

She said that the mission in Britain was more focused on the physical aspect of leprosy and had improved its supported health services through the establishment of hospitals and carrying out of surgical operations.

This she said was also in the plan of the TLM in Britain to incorporate mental health and wellbeing into a lot of its new projects in Nigeria that would be funded by TLM Great Britain.

“Its in our new strategy, and we are not only funding new projects, we are also funding research into the most effective ways to support people with their mental health.

“The new project we have that started here in Nigeria last year will continue for three years as a follow up to our open minds project to help people that can’t help themselves with their mental health,“ she said.

Mr Shehu Auta, Kebbi State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Manager, appreciated the leprosy mission Nigeria for its support to the Kebbi state government.

“This is the first leprosy mission that is supporting my state with the tuberculosis and leprosy activities in the state, and they have included Non-Neglected Disease in our programme.

“With the coming of this new programme mental health in leprosy, now we can teach leprosy patient after treating them with socio-economic rehabilitation.

“One aspect of life that we didn’t realise was mental health issue but when the leprosy mission came with the mental health programme, we now recognise that people affected by leprosy are suffering from depression and anxiety,“ he said.

Auta said that the programme would help to control anxiety and depression amongst people living with leprosy and other neglected diseases.

He called the federal government to take ownership of the leprosy programme and to expand the programme for the benefit of affected persons across all the local governments within and outside the state.

Auta urged the government to be responsible and involved in the formulation of infectious disease programmes and projects, partake in executions and implementation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

DOM/EAL

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Rivers Govt. faults fake court ruling affirming 27 lawmakers as PDP members

Ruling

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Rivers Government has clarified that the state High Court did not declare that 27 state lawmakers are still members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Dagogo Iboroma, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, presented the certified true copy of the court judgment during a news conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers announced their defection to the All Progressive Party (APC) in December but later denied it.

The Rivers government later took the lawmakers to court seeking an order to prevent them from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and the PDP.

Iboroma clarified that the trending report about court ruling in favour of the 27 assemblymen was false and intended to mislead the public.

He confirmed that the court indeed struck out the case due to a lack of merit.

“The reports in social, print and electronic media was a misrepresentation of the judgement of the High Court of Rivers state in suite number DHC/20/CS/2024.

“Our position on the case has been confirmed and vindicated by the certified true copy of the court containing the legally binding pronouncement of the court.

“In this case, the court dismissed the case citing a lack of jurisdiction and merit, while joining the PDP as the fourth defendant,” Iboroma read the judgement to the hearing of journalists.

The attorney-general described the circulated report as fake news that intended to tarnish the court’s reputation and causing confusion and misinformation among the public.

“The court did not rule that Amaewhule remained speaker of the RSHA, neither did it declare the other 26 former lawmakers as members of the RSHA and the PDP.

“Whatever finding of fact that is not included in the court order is an obiter dicta, which has no binding force.

“Therefore, I urge the media to desist from interpreting court judgements without reading them first and seeking legal advice before publication,” he cautioned. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Discrimination

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, has cautioned against incessant amendments of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria saying that such act defaces its original character.

Chime made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to  the 25th Democracy Day Celebration on Tuesday in Enugu.

He said that the constitution should be a sacred document and not something that could be amended anyhow.

“Since 25 years of democracy, how many times have they amended Nigeria constitution, making it so ridiculous. The more amendment they make, the more problem they create. Let’s take the constitution seriously.

“I remember when we came in, governorship election cases used to terminate at the Court of Appeal but now it gets to Supreme Court because of amendments,” he said.

Chime however, advised the federal government and the National Assembly to be careful with the manner and way they amended the country’s constitution, noting that they had completely defaced the original character of the constitution.

The former governor, who is also a constitutional lawyer, also decried how Nigerians including its governments were segregating one another on the grounds of their state of origin, religion and sex.

According to him, this is unconstitutional and the constitution does not allow it because we are one Nigeria.

“Someone would fill a form and would be asked to fill his or her state of origin when he or she is a Nigerian.

“It is sad that when we talk about South-East and referring to Igbos, Southwest, Yorubas and North, Hausas. Zones were created for administrative purposes.

“It shouldn’t be so. May God bless Nigeria for reversing back to our old National Anthem that sees us as brothers.

“We are barred by the constitution from discriminating against any Nigerian on certain grounds, including where the person is from, circumstances of birth, religion, sex and others.

“But unfortunately, the governments are championing this discrimination by asking people their places of origin instead of where their states of resident.

”Nigerians should be able to decide where they want to settle and adopt as their homes, Allow us to be adopted as Nigerians, not Igbo Hausa, Yoruba or Ijaw.

”All these divide Nigeria. This is why we still have the clamour for creation of states and autonomous communities,” he said.

He explained that the zones were created for administrative purposes, stressing that it had nothing to do with where one was born or who someone’s father was.

“The National Assembly should make a law criminalizing violation of these provisions with stiff punishments,” he said.

He explained that those rights were provided for by the constitution but were not made justiciable, meaning that one could not go to court to challenge any government or individual based on it.

According to him, the barriers should be removed and make those rights justiciable as well as court delving into such matters.

“All these shouldn’t play any role in governance and government should be interested to where citizens were born or their place of residence while the federal character system should base on where one stays.

On security, Chime called for the removal of roadblocks by security agencies especially the military, on the nation’s highways and wondered what they were doing blocking the roads.

“How can government be building roads and the next thing you see security men blocking it with bags of sands. If you remove these people from the road, we will have peace without roadblocks.

“I can’t remember when any kidnapper is being arrested at check point but on the contrary we have heard of people trying to pay ransome beside check points,” he said.

He, however, called for the introduction of city and highway patrol vehicles, arguing that with it, kidnappers would disappear from Nigeria roads.

On the clamour for State Police, the former governor said that it would not work because states could not afford it.

”State governments should work with the police and provide resources for them. We don’t wait for the Federal Government to provide everything to sustain them.

“Under the law, the Commissioner of Police reports to the governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. As a governor, if you are having issues with the police commissioner, you call for a change with genuine reasons,”.

On democracy day, the former governor said that June 12 was the appropriate date to celebrate the day pointing out that not all states were inaugurated on May 29.

Chime congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the celebration of uninterrupted 25 years democracy and urged the citizenry to support the president on his people oriented programmes and policies.

“We are one Nigeria. Nigeria we hail thee,” Chime concluded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Court

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Abiodun Alamutu, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, has lauded the state government for deeming it fit to create a special court to try cult-related cases in the state.

Alamutu spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a security roundtable, organised by the Ogun Chapter of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS).

He noted that the special court’s creation would assist the state in reducing the burden on regular courts.

”But it will also help security agencies in the fight against the menace of cultism,” the Police Commissioner said.

The event, with the theme “Economic/Political Approach In Combating Insecurity”, also witnessed the inauguration of the new Executive Committee members of NANS and NAOSS in the state.

Alamutu, who was represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, described cultism as one of the major crimes in the state.

“In Ogun, we have our own issue of insecurity like other states. Here in Ogun, the issue we are facing is cultism. Cultism is the root of every crime in this state.

”It is the root of armed robbery and this issue of cultism is disturbing us seriously.

“These cultists graduate from cultism to armed robbery and other crimes.

“We are working to make sure that we reduce this menace in our society.

“Today in Ogun, the government has come up with a court that will deal with cultism issues.

“No case will be taken to that court apart from cultism cases. The creation of this court will help us a lot to reduce issues of cultism in this state,” he said.

In his remarks, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Student Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, urged security agencies to partner with students and other relevant stakeholders in combating insecurity in the state.

“Economic well-being of the people is a significant determinant of the larger security in the society. An economically-engaged and self-sufficient human is less vulnerable to take options in criminal act.

“Qualitatively-educated citizens, particularly agile youths, are usually intelligent enough to interact with their society more productively than dangerously.

“Well-trained young people are in fact very crucial in developing an economy to become more progressive, as well as contributing to combating insecurity with innovative ideas and technology,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Assent
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday in Ibadan signed into law the bill establishing the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED).

However, Makinde not only signed the executive bill into law, he also announced the appointment of a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr Thomas Morohunkola, as the agency’s Director-General.

In his remarks, the governor said the agency’s establishment was in line with his stand that the administration would not only be defined by the massive infrastructure it has built.

”But it will be by the strong institutions it has put in place.
.
“With OYMASED, we have an agency that will clarify abstract ideas in our state economic policies and educate our people about the law and political process.

“This agency we are creating today will serve as a rallying point for several key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government.

“As a country, we have to prioritise production and we cannot be productive without mobilising our people behind what we want to do.

“When we broaden our productive base, that is when we know we are tackling the issue of taking our people out of poverty into prosperity.

“There is hunger in the land, which does not reflect where we should be as a nation. So, we must create a framework to harness our potential through mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy. So, this agency is a key part of the framework,” he said.

The governor further said his administration would continue to prioritise economic development in order to solve major challenges in the state.

“Also, when economic development is prioritised, continuous education is needed. You cannot win people’s trust if you do not clearly communicate where you are taking them.

“OYMASED will play a big role in the continuous mobilisation and sensitisation of the various demographics in Oyo State for the pursuit of social, economic, political and environmental development,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also inaugurated the office of the newly-established OYMASED immediately after he assented the bill.

During the inauguration of the office, Makinde reiterated his stance that the state only needs strong institutions to continue to thrive.

He stated that the country would have to borrow a leaf from the pages of Oyo State in creating strong institutions to address its challenges.

In his goodwill message, a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, who witnessed the inauguration, said OYMASED would bring development and transformation to the state.

He said this would be faster and better through the involvement and mobilisation of the people in governance.

Gana commended Makinde for establishing OYMASED, which he described as a good initiative.

Morohunkola, in his remarks, assured that the objectives of establishing OYMASED would be achieved and that the Makinde administration would leave a lasting legacy for coming administrations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Guard nation’s fledgling democracy jealously, Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians

Democracy

By Aderonke Ojediran

Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN)  Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has enjoined Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to remain steadfast and guard the country’s fledgling democracy jealously.

He said this in a statement signed by Mr Gboyega Akosile, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

The statement was issued ahead of the celebration of Democracy Day, marked on June 12 in the country.

“As we celebrate another Democracy Day, I want to implore all Nigerians, especially Lagos residents, to remain steadfast, guard our fledgling democracy jealously, remain united as one great people with a common destiny,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said all hands must be on deck to sustain democracy in Nigeria so that the struggle of the nation’s founding fathers and heroes of democracy would not be in vain.

Sanwo-Olu said that this year’s June 12 commemoration marks 25 years anniversary of unbroken democratic governance in Nigeria.

He said it must come with a deep reflection on the progress recorded so far in the nation’s democracy.

The governor implored Nigerians to join hands together to build “our dream country and the future we want”.

“I wish all Nigerians and Lagosians in particular a Happy Democracy Day, even as this year’s June 12 also marks the 31st anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election and 25 years of democratic governance.

“As we celebrate another Democracy Day, it is proper and necessary to pay glowing tribute to the memories of the symbol of that struggle, the late Chief MKO Abiola (GCFR).

“MKO Abiola and several other democrats, civil society activists and Nigerians that took part in the struggle for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria, on May 29, 1999, are the true heroes of this country,” he said

The governor said June 12 remained a symbol of Nigerians’ aspirations for unity, hope, better standard of living and true democratic practices, which the country was working towards.

He urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The president is committed to the Renewed Hope agenda, and he is doing everything within his power to ensure that Nigerians in all the nooks and crannies of the country enjoy the dividends of democracy in days to come,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He reiterated his commitment towards the actualisation of the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda in order to ensure residents of Lagos live a life of prosperity.

“We in Lagos State are also committed to the THEMES+ development agenda, which focuses on key sectors to make life easy and affordable to all residents of the State.

“As a government elected by the majority, we will not take the responsibility of good governance lightly.

“We will continue to work hard to meet the yearnings of the people.

“Democracy Day must be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want.

“As responsible citizens, let us do everything possible to support the government at the federal, state and local government levels to sustain our democracy.

“Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria,” the governor said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OAF/EBI/SOA

Edited by Benson Iziama/Oluwole Sogunle

Bill

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Enugu State Government has reacted to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC’s billing and disconnection of some of its offices, over accumulated bill of N1.3 billion.

The government described the action of  EEDC as unlawful, malicious, callous, and vexatious.

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government in a letter to the EEDC Managing Director, Praveen Chorghade on Tuesday in Enugu, faulted the company’s claim of government’s indebtedness to the company to the tune of N1.3 billion.

He said the disconnection of government offices, parastatals like College of Medicine Enugu State University Teaching hospital, Housing development Corporation, State Secretariat amongst others were unlawful and callous.

He explained that besides prompt payment of all electricity bills received from the EEDC since May 2023, the Gov. Peter Mbah administration had cleared two months backlog of debts in line with the governor’s commitment to offset all legitimate electricity debts inherited from his predecessors.

Onyia said both the publication of notice of disconnections and the actual disconnections on June 8 were based on wrong premises and total disregard to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), rules and standing Order on estimated billing of maximum demand customers.

Onyia noted that no disconnection would carried out on any customer that was not metered and billed on estimation.

According to him outstanding electricity bills are estimated billing of maximum demand on agencies and parastatals of the state government carried over from the last administration.

He said the current administration had diligently and promptly paid all bills received from May 2023 to date.

This, he said, included two months from the carried over bill which it had shown commitment in good faith to settle.

He said the action inflicted malicious damages to the image and integrity of the state government, describing the act as vexatious and completely unacceptable.

Onyia reminded the company that the state government carried out electricity infrastructure intervention projects investment, totaling N2,9 billion from which EEDC collected revenue.

“The government demands payments for the investment costs and other debts owed by EEDC to the government.

“We also demand immediate retraction of the malicious publication and immediate reconnection of all disconnected government agencies as the basis for a truce,” Onyia said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/CHOM/MNA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu