Category: General News

Electronics

By Chimezie Anaso

Awka, June 27, 2024(NAN) The Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), a research institute under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), says it is set to introduce four of its projects into the Nigerian market.

Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro, Overseeing Officer of ELDI in Anambra disclosed this when he led top management of the institute on a visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday.

Ogungbenro said the products included ELDI bulb, ELDI Ceiling Light, ELDI Solar Lighting System and ELDI Solar generator.

He said the products were richly researched and certified fit for the Nigerian market adding that it would be assembled in Anambra.

The Overseeing Officer said the visit was in acknowledgement of NAN as a media giant in Nigeria as well express their willingness to partner with the agency in the project.

“Firstly, I want to thank the NAN team for visiting our office a few weeks ago and we acknowledge that the impact of the media report was felt.

“We are going to  start major commercialisation of four of ELDI products, ELDI bulbs,  ceiling light , solar lighting system and Solar generator which are ready for the market.

“We are going to have awareness campings with roadshows and other strategies and ELDI is open for a collaboration with NAN,” he said.

Responding, Mrs Joy Mbachi, State Correspondent of NAN in Awka appreciated the Overseeing Officer for his genuine feedback.

Mbachi said it was good that the ELDI team understood that the media was crucial to the success of any endeavour adding that the agency would be glad to work with the institute.

“Our duty in NAN is to inform the public about what the government is doing and other things going on in the society” she said.

Electronics Development Institute (ELDI) was formerly known as Centre for Adaptation of Technology (CAT). It was established in 1988 by the government of the old Anambra state when Col. Robert Akonobi Rtd was the military governor of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

APC/MNA 

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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Left: Dr Zainab Umar, Health Care Deputy Manager of  NNPC Foundation in a hand shake with Mrs Rosemary Egunjobi, the Headmistress of the school  during the presentation

NNPC Foundation donates mattresses, dental accessories to special needs children in Osun

Donation
By Olajide Idowu
Ile-Ife (Osun), June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Paediatric Dentistry (NARD) on Thursday, donated 60 mattresses and dental accessories to Special Needs Children School in Ilare, Ile-Ife, Osun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presentation of the items was part of lined up activities for the 7th Biennial Conference of NARD in Ile-Ife.

Mrs Emmanuel Arukwe, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, said during the presentation of the items that the Foundation was committed to making meaningful impact in communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Represented by Dr Zainab Umar, Health Care Deputy Manager of the Foundation, Arukwe said the mission of the foundation was rooted in the belief that the lives of every child matters.

“Our mission is rooted in the belief that every child matters, including the special children here with us today.

“We are committed to providing conducive learning environment that nurture growth and development,” she said.

Arukwe said the Foundation was handling over the items to the NARD for the benefits of the Special Needs Children.

“We are here partnering with NARD as part of our mission to provide adequate healthcare, education, taking care of the environment and access to energy, which is the reason the Foundation was setup.

“We partnered with NARD to provide some materials to the Special Needs Children School to make life easier for the children.

“Also, that education can be better for them and also for them to have a better life,” she said.

According to her, the special children’s resilience and courage inspire them beyond measure, with the hope that the items presented to them will bring them comfort and improve their daily lives.

In her remarks, Dr Ifeyinwa Adegbulugbe, NARD National President, said that the association had been in existence since 2005, with the mission of advocating for oral health of Nigerian children.

Adegbulugbe said oral health of the children was pertinent for national development.

She said Special Needs Children deserve the same scrutiny and care as children without special needs, adding that NAPD trained experts were also involved in providing oral healthcare to this “special group.”

“We are delighted to be here with our partners and sponsors to extend our support to the Special Needs Children School.

“We choose the Special Needs Children School because we wanted to raise awareness for this school and other special children across the country.

“The awareness is that they should not be kept at home but rather be giving the same care and attention as the other children.

“We are also advocating what we call the ‘dental home’ where we are telling the people that every child should have their first encounter with the dentist by 12 months for general check up”, she said.

Adegbulugbe said that children from 12 months old should visit the dentist twice a year so that their oral health and dentition could be monitored and develop normally.

Mrs Rosemary Egunjobi, the Headmistress of the school, thanked the NNPC and NAPD for the gesture.

Egunjobi said the items were the first intervention the school would be getting from any individual or group.

She said the school had 95 regular students and 10 irregular students.

Egunjobi commended the group for having the care of the children at heart and reaching out to them.

The highlights of the event were oral care pep talk to the children, oral test carried out on them as well as the presentation of tooth pastes and brushes to them.

The President of Nigeria Dental Association, Dr Tope Adeyemi and Osun Chairperson of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Prof. Olayinka Olasode, also gave goodwill messages at the event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ID/VE/IKU
Edited by Victor Adeoti/Tayo Ikujuni

Extortion

By Monday Ajogun

Onitsha (Anambra), June 27, 2024 (NAN) Tipper drivers in Anambra have expressed dismay over the alleged forceful collection of N200,000 from each driver by officials of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA).

The Chairman of the association, Mr Ebuka Unekwe, made the allegation during a press briefing in Onitsha, on Thursday.

Unekwe alleged that ARTMA officials extorted its members of money ranging from N200,000 and above under the guise of traffic control.

He lamented that tipper drivers were being extorted in the state on a daily basis, noting that the roads from where they loaded sand were dilapidated and impassable.

The chairman complained that due to the unmotorable condition of the roads, vehicles always fall and often create problems for the drivers.

He noted that tipper drivers now resorted to plying Niger Street, through Port Harcourt Road down to Upper Iweka all in Onitsha.

According to Unekwe, when we drive to Upper Iweka to connect the flyovers, ARTMA officials and some security agents would suddenly jump into our tippers.

“They do this every night and they compelled us to move into their park where they forcefully collect N200,000 from us on the condition that it was Gov. Charles Soludo they were working for.

“The ARTMA officials do not accept cash transfers but they insist that they must be given physical cash before any tipper in their net would be released.

“They are being led by one Akachukwu, an indigene of Ebonyi State, allegedly employed by the ARTMA Managing Director to act as their commander and ensure that the N200,000 were extorted from the tipper drivers and remitted to him privately.

“So far, between Tuesday and Wednesday alone, ARTMA officials have forcefully extorted N200,000 each from eight tipper drivers in the area.

“So this morning, some of us who loaded at Asaba and plied the road have been forcefully made to pay N200,000 to ARTMA,” he said.

He said as a result of the continuous extortion, the tipper drivers have concluded to stage a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the state governor towards their plight.

“We are set to block the Onitsha axis of the federal highway in the state to draw government attention,” the chairman said.

However, when contacted on the telephone, the Managing Director, ARTMA, Mr Emeka Konti, denied the allegations, adding that he did not send any of his officials to collect the sum of N200,000 from tipper drivers.

“That is totally false. No official was asked to collect N200,000 from tipper drivers.

“We only asked the tipper drivers to stop plying one way at night hence they started the propaganda,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AJOM/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Explore political opportunities for ‘national good’, publisher urges Nigerians

Opportunities

By Abujah Racheal

Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The publisher of ThisNigeria newspaper, Mr Eric Osagie, has urged Nigerians to explore the politics of Nigeria for the good of the nation and the citizenry.

Osagie made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the second edition of ThisNigeria Newspaper Gold Prize and Annual Lecture Awards.

The event is themed: “25 Years of Nigeria’s Unbroken Democracy – Prospects and Possibilities.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ThisNigeria held its maiden Annual Lecture and Gold Prize themed “National Cohesion for Sustainable Growth and Progress: The Nigerian Dilemma” in 2021.

Osagie urged Nigerians not to be tired of talking and engaging the nation’s polity and democracy, to be able to leverage and take advantage of the enormous opportunities in the country.

He said that if the nation would be good, it was in the hands of Nigerians.

“We believe that in ThisNigeria, a newspaper is a nation talking to itself. We can never get tired of exploring Nigerian politics and the situation; we must keep engaging,” he said.

The publisher said that the newspaper, which started on Sept. 28, 2020, had continued to maintain its strong ground in setting remarkable records in excellent journalism.

”We started during COVID-19. We decided to start at that time because when there is a crisis that is when there is an opportunity.

“The simple logic was that the nation was sick and when we all get well, we will all get well together. That was the simple logic behind starting in 2020.

“If Nigeria will not work, it is Nigerians that will not make it work. So, we will continue to provide platforms like this to engage,” he said.

Speaking to NAN on the sideline of the event, Mr Mohammed Idris, Minister for Information and National Orientation, said that the event highlighted the crucial role of journalism in shaping public opinion, promoting accountability, and nurturing democratic values.

Idris, who was represented by the Managing Director, NAN, Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, said that the gathering marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, reflecting on achievements and future prospects.

He said that the event acknowledged the newspaper’s commitment to provide a platform for national dialogue and recognising excellence.

He emphasised the Federal Government’s dedication to upholding freedom of expression and press freedom alongside the responsibilities that came with it.

According to him, reflecting on the nation’s progress and the persistent challenges, with a focus on recent reforms is aimed at economic growth and development.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange reforms, aimed at sustainable economic growth.

He called on Nigerians to remain patient and steadfast as the nation implements necessary reforms for a better future.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, won the prestigious ThisNigeria Gold Prize for his “Infrastructural Revolution and Exceptional Leadership.”

A survey by the Public Sector Performance Index highlighted his significant contributions to FCT’s infrastructure, security, health, and education within eight months.

Other Gold Prize winners include Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State for Courage in Leadership.

Others are Gov.  Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State for Peace Building and Innovative Leadership, and Mr Jim  Obazee, Special Investigator for CBN, in the Public Service category.

Mr Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies, also received a Public Service Award for his contributions to labour capacity and government workforce engagement.(NAN) www.nannews.ng)

AIR/KAE/AMM

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Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman and Abiemwense Moru

Leaders

By Thompson Yamput

Lokoja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi, Mr  Nathaniel Taiwo, says leaders should be prayed for, and not cursed, by the people they lead.

The APC stalwart, who gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday, said that leaders were God’s chosen, deserving support and cooperation of their subjects to succeed.

Taiwo, a former member of the Kogi House of Assembly, was reacting to the recent verbal attacks on Sen. Sunday Karemi of Kogi West Senatorial District, by some individuals in the state.

“I think constructive criticisms of leaders is not bad, but to attack and curse them is not right nor the best for us as a state or country.

“Rather than cursing, we should offer prayers for them to lead us well and succeed as leaders chosen by God over us for the desired growth and development,” he said.

The former legislator, also a former Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government, lauded the efforts of Karemi that ensured the award of a contract for the reconstruction of Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin Palliative Road.

“Our President, Bola Tinubu, Governors, Legislators, Council chairmen, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders deserve our prayers to lead us well,” he said.

According to him, for over a decade, the federal road was in a bad shape until the reconstruction that brought relief to motorists and travellers.

He also praised Gov. Usman Ododo’s administration for the laudable achievements recorded “in so short a time”.

“The calmness and peace being enjoyed in Kogi is due to the security architecture brought to bear by Ododo’s administration.

“The timely rescue of the abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), by security agencies operating in the state, is worth commending  by all and sundry.

“This administration is also doing well in the area of education, health and agriculture in consolidation of what ex-gov. Yahaya Bello’s did to the people of Kogi,” he said.

He was full of praises for Bello who established the Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba which, he said, had given room for youths in the district to gain admission into tertiary school. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TYC/CHOM/ETS

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Election

By Peter Amine

Jos, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Caleb Mutfwang has directed the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission(PLASIEC), to conduct a credible and acceptable local government election, its Chairman, Mr Planji Cishak, said on Thursday in Jos.

Cishak made the disclosure when he led officials of the commission on a courtesy visit on the Zonal Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Jos Zone, Mrs Nyisom Dore.

The chairman said that the governor, while inaugurating officials of the commission, told them to conduct elections that would be fair, credible, transparent and based on global best practices.

He pledged to carry out the governor’s directive to ensure that the people’s choices counted in the third tier of government.

According to him, the local government is the closest to the people at the grassroots, and the commission will do everything within its mandate to ensure that people’s wishes are respected.

“Looking at Plateau with divergent interests, we know the seriousness of this assignment.

“I am happy that the governor took his time to select the calibre of people seated here to carry out the assignments with every sense of responsibility.

“We have pledged that we will not soil our names as we have a bright future ahead of us.

“Towards this end, PLASIEC is conducting its needs assessment and operational activities before the declaration of the notice of election,” he said.

The chairman solicited the support and collaboration of NAN to enable the commission to deliver on its mandate.

He said that the visit was to demonstrate the seriousness and importance it attached to the role of the media.

Dore, in her remarks, described NAN as a credible news content provider that many media organisations relied on.

The zonal manager told the PLASIEC management that, as a federal government agency, NAN would always ensure fairness and balance in its reports.

“I want to assure you of something – when you talk to NAN, you talk to all.

“Your commission, particularly, is a sensitive one that even a mistake in spelling of a word or a single missing figure, can cause serious havoc.

“We know the challenges in Plateau. We recognise the sensitive nature of this state. I pledge to you that NAN will do everything within its power to ensure that you succeed.

“We shall ensure that the information the public receives is accurate, and no one is misinformed.

“We have our core mandate, our core objectives, and our style. People who subscribe to us are always quick to pick our stories.

“That’s because they know its credibility. They know that we must have done our homework and due diligence,” she stated.

Dore pledged the support and cooperation of NAN in ensuring that elections in Plateau met global standards and the expectations of the Plateau people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PAT/DOR/ETS

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore and Ephraims Sheyin

Regular hike in food prices not our fault – Anambra traders

Food

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Awka, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Some foodstuffs dealers at Ose Okwodu market in Onitsha North, Anambra, say they are not to be blamed for the regular hike in food prices.

The traders said this during an interactive session with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), who visited the market on Thursday, to identify factors contributing to the regular hike in food prices.

They identified insecurity, high cost of transportation due to fuel subsidy removal, climate change and inadequate attention to agriculture as some of the major factors escalating prices of food items across the country.

Mr Cyprian Onyejekwe, Secretary, Ose Okwodu Traders’ Union, said that farmers who were the primary producers of food supply were scared to go to their farms due to insecurity.

Onyejekwe said that the safety of farmers, who were the primary suppliers of food was no longer guaranteed in the country as they were either kidnapped killed or their farms destroyed by cattle rustlers.

“Even the traders who go to buy from the farms are usually attacked on the road and even pay over N1 million to settle ‘Agberos’ along the way. This is really affecting farming and food supply.

“Usually, we spend about N1 million to transport goods from farm to markets, but now we spend more than N10 million to N15 million.

“So, traders are not to blame for the hike in food prices. It is about law of supply and demand; and it is only government that can address this problems.

“If government can urgently address insecurity, and strategise on mitigating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, supply will increase and prices will decrease and stabilise,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Chairman, Grain Seed Dealers, said that droughts due to climate change destroyed and decreased farming output, especially grains, in 2023.

Ndubuisi said that Niger and Borno States, which were major producers of grains could not produce enough to feed the nation.

“After planting season last year, at the rate of growth, drought damaged the crops, which resulted to low harvest.

“Before now, lorry load of grains are offloaded three times every week but due to scarcity, we offload once a week and it affects the cost of grains.

“A 100kg of beans rose from N100,000 to N220,000 and N260,000; a bag of maize rose from N45,000 to N120,000; groundnut rose from N90,000 to N189,000 and a bag of bambara nut now sells for N240,000,” he said.

Other dealers in tomatoes, pepper, onions, fish, potatoes, yam and other food items, urged the Federal Government to invest and increase budgetary allocation to agricultural sector.

Addressing journalists, Mr Jude Akonam, Zonal Coordinator, FCCPC, South-East, said that the market survey showed government’s willingness to address the hike in food prices, and amelioration of the sufferings of Nigerians.

“Ose market is popularly known as food hub because most consumable from across the nation is being offloaded here, and from here they are distributed across the states.

“We have interacted with the market leaders and traders to find out the reason for price instability of foodstuffs and the solutions they have proffered will help government take necessary steps to address the problems.

“People cannot plan and buy in bulk anymore due to spiral change in prices of food and FCCPC has a mandate to protect Nigerian consumers,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LCO/FON/MNA

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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Maureen Atuonwu