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Category: General News

  • EEDC begins metering of “Band A” customers in S/East June 11

     

     

     

    Metering
    By Stanley Nwanosike
    Enugu, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says it will begin the metering of  its Band A customers across its network in the South-East through its Meter Asset Providers (MAP) initiative.

    The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

    The exercise, which would kick-off in Enugu on June 11, would focus on EEDC customers served by Band A feeders under its Ogui, Awkunanaw, and Abakpa districts within Enugu metropolis.

    Eze said the Mobile MAP metering approach was part of efforts by the EEDC to ensure that customers under service “Band A” across its network were metered within 48 hours.

    According to him, the company adopted this approach to ensure that the affected customers who enjoy minimum daily availability of 20 hours can begin to manage their energy consumption and pay for what they consume.

    “EEDC customers under Awkunanaw district, served by Topland 11KV, Gariki 11KV, Amaechi 33KV, and UNEC 11KV feeders are to visit the EEDC Service Center at Mayor Bus Stop, Agbani Road.

    “In the same vein, customers under Ogui District, served by New Haven 11KV, Abakaliki Road, 11KV, Power House 11KV, Chime Avenue 11KV, Onitsha Road 11KV, and Golf 11KV feeders, are to visit EEDC Ogui District office at Station Road, Enugu.

    “While customers under Abakpa District served by Abakpa 3 11KV, Dhamija 11KV, Nowas 11KV, and Ugwuogo 33KV feeders are to visit Trans Ekulu Service Center.

    “Customers are expected to visit the mentioned locations with a valid form of identification (either Drivers License, Voters Card, NIN or International Passport) and a copy of their bills.

    “Officials of EEDC will assist them with the MAP application process and installation of the meter will be made once payment is confirmed,” he said.

    The EEDC spokesman said that the MAP metering programme allowed customers to pay and get metered and reimbursed with the value of the cost of meter through energy over a period.

    Ezeh noted that gradually, the exercise would be extended to other “Band A” feeders across EEDC franchise area.

    “Unmetered customers, especially those under service “Band A” are urged to take advantage of this programme and get metered, bearing in mind that they will be reimbursed with the value of the cost of the meter through energy over a period.

    “This exercise is carried out by EEDC in conjunction with its MAPs (Meter Asset Providers) – MOJEC International Limited and Advanced Energy Management Services (AEMS),” he said.

    MAP is a metering intervention designed and approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to close the existing metering gap in the power sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    KSN/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
    ==========

  • NGO endorses  Senate’s bill on open grazing ban

     NGO endorses  Senate’s bill on open grazing ban
    Support
    By Peter Amine
    Jos, June 7, 2024 (NAN), International Organization for Peace Building and Social Justice (PSJ Nigeria) has endorsed the Nigerian Senate’s bill on the ban on open grazing and the establishment of the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission.
    PSJ Programme Manager, Mr Sam Odeh, who briefed newsmen on Friday in Jos, said that the NGO had been following the recent conversations and events in the red chambers of the National Assembly.
    The programme manager stated that the legislative initiative aimed at regulating, managing, preserving, and controlling ranches throughout Nigeria was a welcome development.
    He pointed out that in a nation where cultural and religious diversity enriches our society, it is imperative that all communities coexist peacefully.
    Odeh said that the persistent farmer-herder crisis has not only led to significant losses of lives and property but also threatens the very fabric of the country’s unity.
    “PSJ wants to openly state that the Bill to Ban Open Grazing and the Establishment of the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission, sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC/Benue West), is in the right direction and should be accepted by all citizens.
    “The proposed bill offers a sustainable solution that aligns with PSJ Nigeria’s vision of a peaceful Nigeria where all communities thrive together.
    “Enhancing food safety and economic growth, the benefits of ranching extend beyond resolving conflicts.
    “Ranching ensures that cows are reared in controlled environments, produce healthier meat and milk for Nigerian consumers.
    “This shift from open grazing to ranching promises to enhance food safety standards across the nation.
    “Furthermore, the establishment of ranches is poised to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for Nigerians, fostering a robust and sustainable agricultural sector,” he said.
    According to him, the open grazing system has rendered 134,208 hectares of land in the central Nigeria region uncultivable, drastically reducing food crop production.
    He emphasised that the Senate’s move to put a ban on open grazing was a commendable step towards ensuring that agricultural lands were utilized effectively for food production.
    Odeh said that the move would not only mitigate food shortages but also stabilize the nation’s economy by bolstering agricultural output. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PAT/YGA
    ========
    Edited by Gabriel Yough

  • Prof Ezeokonkwo emerges acting VC of UNN

    Election
    By Hilary Akalugwu
    Nsukka (Enugu State) June 7, 2024 (NAN) Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the incumbent Deputy Vice-chancellor, Administration at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has been elected as the Acting Vice-chancellor of the university.
    Chief Okwun Omeaku, the Public Relations Officer of the university made the disclosure in a statement issued at the end of the 422nd session of the Senate in Nsukka on Friday
    He said that Ezeokonkwo won by 200 votes in the election conducted by the senate at its session on Friday.
    According to him, Ezeokonkwo defeated Prof Johnson Urama, Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic UNN and Prof Daniel Nwachukwu, the Deputy Vice-chancellor, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).
    “Ezeokonkwo scored 200 votes to defeat Urama and Nwachukwu who scored 180 and 25 votes repectiviely,” he said.
    The PRO noted that the position of the vice chancellor became vacant following the end of the tenure of Prof Charles Igwe, whose five year-tenure would end on June 10. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)
    HOA/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • JDPCI advocates forest preservation against climate change

     

    Officials of JDPCI during a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

    Forest
    By Aderogba George/Philomina Attah
    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), Abuja, a faith-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has advocated forest preservation to mitigate the effect of climate change.
    Mr Josephat Abaagu, the JDPCI Chairman, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day celebrated annually on June 5.
    Abaagu expressed dissatisfaction at the rate forests were being destroyed, noting that forest reserves that used to exist in the country in the past are no longer there.
    He urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to revive the tree planting project which used to exist in the FCT in the past to beautify and safeguard the environment.
    According to him, the 2024 World Environment Day theme: ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience’, offers the initiative an opportunity to call on everyone to rise to the challenge of protecting the environment.
    He said that the JDPCI between 2023 and 2024 embarked on a tree planting campaign and had planted over 10,000 economic trees.
    The chairman said that the tree planting would not only contribute to environmental restoration and biodiversity, but provide economic benefits to local communities.
    He said the tree planting campaign would enhance carbon sequestration, combat soil erosion, and foster a healthier ecosystem.
    “If you talk about the Savannah region here and the Sahel area, the far north, and even parts of the south, you won’t see any forest again; the trees have all been cut down.

    “The kind of logging that happens in this country is terrible.
    “By integrating environmental stewardship with economic empowerment, we embody the holistic approach advocated by the Holy Father, Pope Father Francis.
    “Furthermore, I am thrilled to highlight the recent launch of the JDPCI Laudato Si’ Briquette Factory and safe energy cooking stoves in April 2024.
    “This innovative project which was inaugurated by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius A. Kaigama, represents a significant step in our efforts to mitigate climate change.
    “The factory produces eco-friendly briquettes from agricultural waste like sawdust and rice husks, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wood and charcoal.
    “This not only reduces deforestation and carbon emissions but also provides a cleaner and more affordable energy source for households,’ he said.
    Mr Chukwuedozie Abazie, an official of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, also reiterated the need for individuals to pay more attention to their immediate environment.
    “The theme of the 2024 World Environment Day is a wake-up call on individuals to pay more attention to how they live their lives within their immediate environment,” Abazie said.
    He said that individuals must take a lot of seriousness on tree planting.
    Rev. Fr. Solomon Uko, Executive Director, JDPCI, also urged the FCT Minister to take a clue from the Catholic Diocese of Abuja and resuscitate tree planting in the FCT.
    Uko said that there was a need to mitigate the effect of erosion in the FCT, with lot of buildings springing up in the area.
    He also decried the effect of poor waste disposal in the FCT, stressing that could cause air pollution, if not properly managed.
    “We have the rainy season here, and we know what that means, so it is a call for us as human beings to take care of the earth.
    “We have been given that special task by God Himself and the priests always like to reflect in the scripture.
    “In Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 28, the Lord created man and gave us that commission, be fruitful, multiply and take care of the earth.
    “We are not owners, we are stewards. So, we have been given that responsibility of taking care of our earth, so, I urge the government and individuals to promote this task of taking care of our environment,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AG/APA/OIF/JNC
    ===============
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Ogun APC mourns chieftain, Sola Lawal

    Ogun APC mourns chieftain, Sola Lawal

     

    Death

     

    By Abiodun Lawal

     

    Abeokuta, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun has mourned its former Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sola Lawal, describing his demise as sad and unfortunate.

     

    The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday, said Lawal’s death was a sad one for the party, as he  served diligently in various capacities while alive.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lawal died on Thursday in Lagos, aged 61.

     

    Oladunjoye said that the late APC chieftain was a dedicated party man who diligently carried out his assigned tasks effectively and efficiently to the best of his ability.

     

    “Anyone who came across Sola Lawal while alive will attest to the fact that he was a burst of energy, amiable and jovial.

     

    “On behalf of the All Progressives Congress, Ogun State, we mourn the departed party chieftain, who has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

     

    “We sympathise with the families, relatives, associates and friends of the deceased and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

     

    “We pray that the late politician will be granted Aljanah Fridaus,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LKA/FON/FAA

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

    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Folasade Adeniran

  • Gov. Abiodun’s wife charges female farmers to use grants judiciously

    Grant

    By Joy Akinsanya
    Abeokuta, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Friday in Abeokuta urged beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) grants to judiciously utilise them.

    Abiodun, who is also the state coordinator of RHI, gave the charge during the disbursement and interactive session with 20 beneficiaries drawn from all the state’s Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    The governor’s wife said they must use the grants in boosting food sufficiency and security.

    She noted that the exercise was in fulfilment of the promise of N10 million to boost food production in each of the states, with each of the beneficiaries receiving N500,000.

    “The disbursement is in accordance with the directive of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to support 20 female farmers from each state with N500,000 each.

    ”It is to encourage more women to be involved in the agricultural sector,” Abiodun added.

    Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, had said the event was in furtherance of government’s commitment to promoting and empowering women in the sector.

    Owotomo added that the grant was given to ensure adequate food production in the state in particular and the country at large.

    “Achieving sustainable development in agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring food sufficiency. The RHI is to assist female farmers to help strengthen the sector.

    “So, you must maximally make use of this gesture to meet the purpose it is meant for,” he said.

    Owotomo urged the beneficiaries to form groups and register with the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project to further benefit from other government interventions.

    He said this would increase food production and improve their livelihood.

    In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja, noted that the role of women in agriculture could not be over emphasised.

    He promised to give all necessary support to women farmers and ensure they were not left out in various intervention programmes to help them improve.

    Responding on the farmers’ behalf, Mrs Elizabeth Kalejaye, a fish farmer, and Mrs Temitope, a poultry farmer, applauded the initiative, saying the money would be used to expand their businesses.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 16 First Lady Oluremi Tinubu had flagged off the RHI Women Agricultural Support Programme for the South-West in Abeokuta.

    She has so far empowered 120 women farmers in the south-west geo-political zone with N60 million, with 20 of them from Ogun.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IOJ/EOB/OLAL

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

    (Edited by Edith Bolokor and Olawale Alabi)

  • WED: Institute advocates tree planting culture to mitigate climate change effects

    WED: Institute advocates tree planting culture to mitigate climate change effects

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Benin, June 7,2024(NAN) The Institute of Environment Practitioners of Nigeria(IEPN) has urged all to engage in building projects, such as tree planting, to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, President and Chairman, Governing Council of the institute, made the call at an event it organized to commemorate 2024 World Environment Day on Friday in Benin.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the event was organized in partnership with Benin City Window on America(BCWOA) with the theme: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.

    Ezemonye said that the United Nations (UN) had warned that over 40 percent of planet land had been degraded and had affected half of the world’s population.

    He noted that the theme of the event was to remind stakeholders on the need to collectively heal the planet.

    “Since WED was celebrated in 1973, the anniversary has become a platform to raise awareness about critical environmental issues and proffer lasting and sustainable solutions, ” he said.

    Ezemonye, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin added that 2024 WED came at a critical time when the world had triple planetary crisis such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

    According to him, by focusing on land restoration, we can mitigate these crises, enhance carbon storage, protect species from extinction and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

    “According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),restoring degraded land can significantly improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and build resilience to extreme weather.

    ” Every dollar invested in restoration can make up to$30 in ecosystem services, making it a vital strategy for sustainable development,” he said.

    A Director in BCWOA, Dr Georgina Erifetal urged participants to take responsibility for the survival of their immediate environment to bring positive effects to the global habitat.

    The event also hosted stakeholders, who participated virtually across the globe, to proffer lasting solutions to issues affecting the planet. (NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    NY/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika

     

     

  • Nasarawa Govt offers free hepatitis testing, treatment to 78,000 persons

    Hepatitis

    By Sunday John

    Doma, (Nasarawa State), June 7, 2024 (NAN) Nasarawa State government has begun free screening and treatment for hepatitis for no fewer than 78,000 indigent persons in the state.

    Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the state’s Deputy Governor,  inaugurated the exercise on Friday in Doma Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that free medical outreach was organised by the State government in collaboration with Doctors from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi.

    According to the deputy governor, the gesture is targeted at people in rural communities in keeping with the  determination of Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration to provide affordable healthcare services to the people, especially the poor and vulnerable.

    He explained that the choice of Doma for the inauguration of the exercise was as a result of the high prevalence rate of hepatitis in the area in recent time.

     

    “Records have shown that the prevalence rate of hepatitis in the state and particularly Doma LGA was above the national prevalence rate.

    “The national prevalence rate indicated  two out of every 100 persons, but for Nasarawa is 11 out of 100 persons, while in Doma LGA it’s  15 out of 100 persons.

    “The burden in our state is very high and worrisome, hence the governor directed that it should be tackled using every government machinery.

    “Already, as a state,  we have a robust programme on the elimination of hepatitis before 2030 in line with the target of World Health Organisation (WHO),” Akabe added.

    The deputy governor also disclosed that the state government had entered into agreement with FMC Keffi to deploy its medical experts and equipments for outreach services in three LGAs.

    “We have been pursuing this agreement for the past 15 years and thank God it has come to reality today.

    “As from today, General Hospital Doma and ofcourse other facilities in the selected LGAs are appendages of FMC.

    “You can now access all medical services you could get at FMC Keffi now in Doma  because experts will be deployed on rotational basis to work here and the other two facilities.

    On his part, Dr Gaza Gwamna, the  Commissioner for Health, said that the outreach would be replicated in all local government areas of the state.

    The commissioner said that based on the facilities available, the medical team would be targeting 6,000 persons in each of the 13 LGAs, making a total of  78,000 persons.

     

    He further explained that individuals  that test negative during the screening would be administered vaccine while those found positive would be placed on treatment.

    In his remarks, Alh. Ahmadu Aliyu-Ogah,  the Andoma of Doma and Chairman Traditional Council of the area thanked the government for gesture aimed at bringing succour to the people.

    The traditional ruler called on his people to avail themselves for the exercise saying “it’s safe and aimed at improving your health.”

    Also speaking, Dr Yahaya Baba-Adamu, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC Keffi, appreciated Nasarawa government for the partnership aimed at addressing the menace of hepatitis.

    The CMD represented by Dr Ahmed Kana, Head of Clinical Services at the hospital, gave assurance that consultants and other medical personnel would be deployed for the outreaches to ensure its success. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

    SDJ/IU

    ========
    Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

  • Over 200 intending pilgrims protest in Ilorin over faulty aircraft

    Protest
    By AbdulFatai Beki
    Illorin, June 7, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 200 intending pilgrims from Kwara on Friday protested at llorin international Airport over the inability of an aircraft to transport them to Saudi Arabia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pilgrims, officials of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board and the 2024 state Amirul Hajj had boarded the aircraft since Thursday.

    The aircraft was, however, said to have developed a technical fault.

    NAN also reports that some engineers with the Federal Airport Authority had been making frantic efforts to repair the faulty aircraft since Thursday without success.

    Consequently, some of the intending pilgrims staged a protest over the development.

    The intending pilgrims, alongside their relations, took the protest to the highway linking the airport with other communities to express their displeasure over the situation.

    Some of the protesters were seen singing solidarity songs condemning the situation, especially since they are the tenth and last batch from the state.

    Sen. lbrahim Oloriegbe, the state’s 2024 Amirul Hajj, while speaking with NAN, attributed the failure to transport the last batch of the pilgrims to faulty aircraft.

    Oloriegbe said the intending pilgrims had boarded the aircraft since Thursday but were unable to be transported following the development.

    The Amirul hajj said that they are expecting another aircraft from Medinnah to transport the intending pilgrims and the officials.

    He appealed to them to exercise patience, as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria was on top of the situation.

    He said that the board would continue to cater for the feeding of the intending pilgrims pending when they would be transported to the holy land. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    BEKl/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Adeleke presents 4bn bond certificates to retirees

    Adeleke presents 4bn bond certificates to retirees

    Bond
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Friday presented N4 billion bond certificates to both state and local government retirees in the state.

    Presenting the bond certificates, Adeleke said that out of the figure, retirees at the state level would receive N1.59 billion, while retirees at the local government level would receive N2.41 billion.

    According to him, his two predecessor in office for 12 years released bond certificates worth N11 billion, while his administration released the worth of N12.7 billion to the retirees from Dec. 2022 till date.

    He also said that from 2022 till date, his administration had paid N1.8 billion as gratuities to civil servants, members of staff in tertiary institutions, government parastatals and public secondary schools at the state level.

    “Within the same period, our government has paid local government and primary school retirees N2.52 billion as gratuities.

    “While the total gratuities paid for state and local government retirees within the same period stood at N4.32 billion,” Adeleke said.

    The governor said that his administration was committed to upholding workers’ welfare as number one priority.

    “We will continue to devote our time to paying off the pension and half salary debt, while also providing succour to the workforce,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, said that the release of the bond certificates was in line with the tenet of the five action plans of the present administration, of making the welfare of the workers and retirees number one priority.

    “Your Excellency, our records had shown that the bond certificates you had released in one and half years surpassed those done by your predecessors in the last 12 years,” Aina said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    VE/FON/IKU
    ============
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Tayo Ikujuni