WordPress

Blog

  • Lawyer advises Nigerians to embrace home gardening practices

    Gardening
    By Toba Ajayi
    Ilorin, June 22, 2024 (NAN) An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Kazeem Musbau, on Saturday advised Nigerians to embrace home gardening practices as a means of relieving themselves from the country’s current harsh economy.
    Musbau, who gave the advice in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said embracing gardening practices by individuals would help a lot.
    ”This will soften the effect of the harsh economic situation on each family and the country.”
    He pointed out that gardening practices should be everybody’s priority and not only farmers.
    “The economy is harsh. Each individual in every family must practise home gardening as a way to survive. This is not time to underrate the impacts of home gardening.
    “We can plant our vegetables, tomatoes, okro, bitter leaf, yam, pepper, melon, maize and other supportive foods will go a long way to reduce spending.
    “We cannot continue to rely on the core farmers to produce food for us every time. Everybody can practise agriculture within their capacity.
    “Let us take the step and start something small in our backyard. It will feed many and save us the cost of spending on purchasing food items,” Musbau said.
    The lawyer, however, advised the public to stop relying on government to do everything but to make some little effort to support their daily activities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) LEX/OLAL
    =========
    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions

    Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions
    Neutrality
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 22, 2024 (NAN) A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists in Sokoto State has urged its leaders in the state to be neutral on all issues and resist all forms of impositions.
    The group named ‘Concerned PDP Members’, made the charge at a press briefing on Saturday in Sokoto.
    Speaking on behalf of the group, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, criticized the state party Chairman, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, over some comments during a recent stakeholders’ meeting.
    Maishanu alleged that Goronyo said some party members were contracted to destroy the party in the state.
    He said the statements were capable of creating disunity among the party members as he could not categorically mention the persons concerned or the specific anti-party activities.
    Maishanu, who was a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections explained that its disturbing scenario on the heels of efforts being put by the party to wrest power from the ruling APC in the state come 2027.
    He said the group comprised representatives of party executives from the 23 Local Government Areas in the state and some national and state executive party officials in the northwest.
    ” We are concerned members of PDP in Sokoto State, believe in democratic principles and want democracy to thrive in the party.
    “We want the chairman to tell us who are those contracted?; who contracted them and how much was paid or promised?
    ” And we will not accept appointments of crownies, or to satisfy primordial and selfish interests of few,” he said.
    According to him, efforts were made to contact Goronyo for explanations as the issue is within ‘party internal wranglings’, however, not fruitful.
    He added that the group was still examining the situation and would come out with bold steps. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HMH/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai

  • Artist urges FG to support sector with more grants

    Nigerian Visual Artist, Promise Ebegbulem with some of her recent works
    Grant
    By Taiye Olayemi
    Lagos June 22, 2024 (NAN) Nigerian visual artist, Promise Ebegbulem, on Saturday urged the Federal Government to create more avenues for artists to access grants, to enable them thrive in their chosen profession.
    Ebegbulem made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
    According to her, this is important because the few available platforms for grants are not easily accessible for many artists.
    She said to encourage more individuals to embrace the profession, government must be deliberate in encouraging the existing artists.
    According to her, this encouragement can be in way of providing opportunities for artists to access grants and establishing more public art galleries for constant exhibition.
    “Investing in arts education from an early age, providing grants for art projects and establishing more public galleries and art spaces can significantly boost the industry.
    “Creating platforms for artists to showcase their work internationally can elevate the perception of Nigerian art on a global stage.
    “By doing so, we can inspire younger generations to pursue their artistic passions and contribute to the cultural and creative economy.
    “It is crucial for the government to recognise the arts as a vital component of cultural identity and economic development.”
    Speaking on her challenges, the artist said she had to contend with limited access to funds and inadequate exhibition spaces.
    According to her, there is also the issue of inconsistent support, which makes it difficult for artists to sustain a career in the arts.
    “It is also disheartening to observe lack of public appreciation for contemporary arts.
    “To improve the industry, the government can establish more art grants and scholarships, develop infrastructure for art exhibitions and workshops, and create policies that protect and promote the intellectual property rights of artists.
    “Fostering partnerships between local artists and international art institutions can open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth,” she said.
    Ebegbulem, who has been practising for over nine years said she had participated in more than seven public exhibitions where she shared her reflections on human nature and cultural values.
    She said her journey, sparked by a profound personal challenge, led her to create captivating paintings that resonate with deep cultural, real life experience and emotional layers.
    Ebegbulem said growing as an artist, she drew inspiration from artistic legends like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ben Enwonwu.
    Speaking on her recent work entitled “Reflections of Humanity”, Ebegbulem said she tried to make people realise the essence of engaging in self-reflection.
    “Reflections of Humanity” is a mixed-media installation that combines traditional painting techniques with contemporary digital elements.
    “The piece explores the importance of self-reflection, acknowledging Nigerians’ shared human experience, and celebrating cultural diversity.
    “I was inspired by the current global happenings, where there seems to be a growing disconnect between people and their cultural roots.
    “With this work, I aim to encourage viewers to pause, reflect on their own lives, culture and recognise the potential for greatness and unity within our human diversity.
    “There will be a solo exhibition of this work in August,” she said.
    Ebegbulem, who described herself as a self-taught contemporary visual artist from Imo, said she is currently a certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist and aspiring to do more. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
    PTB/FAA
    =========
    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Gov. Aliyu distributes N100m to victims of Sokoto market fire

  • Urgently subsidise food items’ movement to reduce prices, Akinfenwa urges FG

    Food

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

    Ibadan, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese in the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged the Federal Government to immediately start the process of subsidising the movement of food items.

    Akinfenwa made the remark on Saturday in Ibadan at the Collation, Institution and Induction of Ven. Samuel Oluwagbade as the Archdeacon of Asi Archdeaconry and Vicar of Immanuel Anglican Church, Asi.

    He said this subsidy would help to reduce high cost of food items and others in the country.

    ”One of the reasons the prices of food items skyrocket daily is the high cost of their movement from the place of production to that of consumption.

    “This is due to the high cost of diesel and fuel,” Akinfenwa explained.

    He went on to advise government to bring back the Price Control Board to monitor the increase in prices of food items in the entire country.

    “The situation in our land now calls for urgent action by all, so that the hunger level will not reach the point of people eating the flesh of others.

    “Local Governments should also stop levying food stuffs to reduce high cost, because there is an urgent need to control prices of items so that charlatans will not be exploiting people,” the Anglican bishop said.

    Akinfenwa also enjoined Nigerians to cultivate the habit of paying taxes at all times to encourage government.

    He further advised all Nigerian families to begin to plant vegetables, pepper, tomatoes and spices in their gardens.

    “The time has come for that really. Plant even in sacks, bottles, and the backyards so that you can eat and sell too to make ends meet.

    ”Moreover, plant also prayers and continue to pray for the nation to be better,” Akinfenwa said.

    He described the newly-inducted Archdeacon Oluwagbade as a man of great and impeccable manners, peaceful, humble and prayerful.

    The Bishop advised him to avoid nepotism and Godfatherism, and never to belong to any camp in the Church but be a father of all in all fairness.

    “Have a heart of the shepherd that will multiply seeds, lead the church to progress and expand God’s kingdom, and also mobilise all age categories in the Church to work for God.

    “Don’t be deceived by the fashion of the new age of Christianity in the world, uphold the godly heritage and doctrine of the Anglican Church.

    “Authority and boldness have been given to you today, so we challenge you to arise and begin to build,” he said.

    The Bishop further urged Oluwagbade’s wife to always support her husband and play the big motherly role expected of her by the Church.

    “You and your husband should ensure you don’t leave the Archdeaconry the way you met it. Wake up, because this new position is a call to action and to serve God faithfully,” Akinfenwa stated.

    While responding, Oluwagbade pledged that he would serve God in all integrity and purity without disappointing the Church and Bishop.

    He thanked the Bishop for giving him the opportunity to serve, and the congregation and all others for their support and prayers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    CC/OLAL
    =========
    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Nigeria’s civil service best in the world – Yemi-Esan

    By Okon Okon

    Abuja, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), says Nigeria has the best civil service in the world.

    Yemi-Esan stated this on Saturday in Abuja during a sporting event organised for workers as part of activities to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week.

    According to her, Nigerian civil servants are hard working, intelligent, adding that, “they can look after their own health for greater productivity in the course of discharging their duties.

    “You know I am always proud of civil and public servants because Nigeria has the best civil service in the world and I can say that confidently anywhere”.

    She expressed satisfaction with high turnout of the civil servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the events.

    “I recall three or four years ago, we only used to have a handful of civil servants and today, the numbers that are here have increased tremendously.

    “Thank you for a very good turnout today, you know this sporting activities, you don’t have to take it for granted because if we are not healthy, we can’t give the country the best that we have.

    “And please this exercise is very important for us to be productive and to give our very best, our body system must be healthy enough.

    “Apart from today’s sporting exercise, always ensure to visit our wellness centre to exercise yourself. I am sure a lot of civil servants don’t even know where the centre is. Some people are taking advantage of the centre, some are not,” she said.

    Yemi-Esan said the government invested a lot of resources at the wellness centre towards ensuring healthy civil servants with sound mind to offer their best.

    Also speaking, Minister of Sport Development, Mr John Enoh, lauded Yemi-Esan for sustaing the initiative since assuming office, especially during the annual Civil Service Week.

    According to Enoh, the required results are always achievable with the an active administrator put in place whether elective or appointive office, adding that the HoS has made a remarkable legacy in the sector.

    “When you have an active administrator in an office, whether the officer is elected, appointed, you would see the required results.

    “In the course of my journey here this morning , I was just reflecting and I imagined the great initiative that started these programmes on physical fitness, the programme on exercises for the public servants.

    “And I think that the head of service has done a great job for everyone who is here, and I will like to commend her for such initiative.

    “And I thank the Head of Service for succeeding this tradition looking at the kind of excitement that I find, it appears that there are some of you that wish that this took place everyday just to keep you physically fit,”  Enoh said.

    The initiative, she said, was an added advantage to keep civil servants alert mentally for productivity, stressing that, “its sustainability is very necessary and vital”.

    Earlier, Dr Deborah Bako, Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategies Office (SPSO) office of HOCSF, said the inclusion of sport activities as part of events to mark civil service week was imperative to acquire mental ability.

    Also, Mr Aliyu Tajudeen, Sport Manager, Ministry of Education, said that involving civil servants in sporting activities was highly recommended to promote productivity.

    Highlights of the include athletics like running, football, aerobatics, cycling among others. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

    MZM/MAM/RSA

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

    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • 2 ex-bankers apprehended over N4.2m dead customer’s money

     

    Arrest

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja, June 22, 2024 (NAN)  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two former staff of Union Bank in   Makurdi over alleged theft of N4,199,500 belonging to a deceased customer of the bank.

    Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to him, the suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were arrested on Friday in Makurdi, in Benue

    “Their arrest followed a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits from the account of Emmanuel Agenna, a deceased customer.

    “Their dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account of the deceased for probate processing.

    “The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account,” he said.

    According to him, based on their complaints, the bank carried out an  internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023.

    He said that the debit card was procured by Ifah Ogoh, one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates, which was authorised by the bank on the same date.

    “Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Okwute, who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased.

    “Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice.

    “The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)

    IAA/MNA

    Edited Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Cholera: Corporation supplies safe, clean water to Lagos Island residents

    Cholera: Corporation supplies safe, clean water to Lagos Island residents

    Cholera

    By Henry Oladele

    Lagos, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Following reported cases of cholera in Lagos State, particularly Lagos Island, the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has started supplying potable water to affected areas.

    The Managing Director of the corporation, Mukhtaar Tijani, said in a statement on Saturday that LWC would also supply safe water to Oju Olokun community and Adeniji Adele.

    He stated that “this immediate intervention by the corporation is to minimise the spread of the deadly cholera disease by distributing safe and clean water to residents.

    “The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in one of his statements, stated that Lagos Island has the highest number of suspected cholera cases in the state.

    “According to World Health Organisation (WHO), cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera,” he said.

    Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported an outbreak of cholera in 30 states of the federation, and urged state governments to prioritise access to safe water, basic sanitation and proper hygiene practices.

    The centre, in an advisory released to the public, healthcare workers and state governments on mitigating the spread of the disease, reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.

    The NCDC highlighted that 10 states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos—account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country.

    The centre explained that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, ingested through contaminated water and food.

    Water contamination usually results from the faeces of infected individuals, occurring during water collection, transportation or storage at home.

    Food can also be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption, it added.

    At-risk populations, the centre said, include those with limited access to clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene, consumers of potentially contaminated food or fruits without proper washing and cooking, and healthcare workers providing direct patient care without standard precautions.

    The centre noted that symptoms of cholera include acute, profuse, painless watery diarrhoea (rice water stools), sudden onset vomiting, and may be accompanied by nausea and fever.

    Severe cases can lead to death within hours due to dehydration from massive fluid loss.

    However, NCDC stressed that most infected individuals (about 80%) may show mild symptoms or be asymptomatic.

    It cautioned that the best prevention against cholera include ensuring access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and waste disposal and adopting appropriate hygiene practices, including regular handwashing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HOB/EBI/HA 

    Edited by Benson Iziama/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Oil exportation resumes in Nembe fields after loading mishap

    Oil exportation resumes in Nembe fields after loading mishap

    Resumption 

    By Nathan Nwakamma  

    Yenagoa, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the Nembe Oilfields has resumed the production and export facility off Bayelsa coastline operation, shut due to oil spill from a loading mishap.

    Aiteo announced the resumption in a statement by its Spokesman, Mr Mathew Ndianabasi on Saturday

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident discharged large volumes of crude into the Atlantic Ocean on June 17.  

    Nembe fields within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 has capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of crude per day at peak levels. 

    NAN learnt that frequent vandalism by oil thieves had significantly hammered peak production from the facility. 

    Ndianabasi noted that following the completion of the joint investigative visit to the spill site by all stakeholders as required by regulations, AEEPCO will reopen its facilities for production while continuing other statutory spill management procedures. 

    He quoted AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, as saying: ” After a comprehensive evaluation of our operations and infrastructure at the Nembe Swamp Field, we are delighted to confirm the resumption of production activities.  

    “Our dedicated team has worked diligently to address the issues caused by the recent incident and implemented enhanced safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.  

    “We have engaged with regulatory bodies, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this process.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    NN/OJI/IAA

    ===========

    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Isaac Aregbesola

  • Experts charge youths on skill acquisition, innovativeness

    Skill
    By Rukayat Moisemhe
    Lagos, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Some experts have advised young entrepreneurs to develop their skills and be  innovative to grow their businesses.

    They gave the advice at a career and entrepreneurship workshop organised by the boys and girls brigade of Wesley Chapel, Lekki, Lagos State, on Saturday.

    The Group Managing Director of Dipson Group, Mr Oladipo Bakare, stated the need for young entrepreneurs to have the right knowledge and tools  to drive their businesses.
    According to him, businesses must advertise, create the right brand, package product distinctively and restructure when necessary.
    He emphasised the need for business owners to acquire knowledge and have the   right mental attitude to create the right impression and engender sustainability.
    He added that business registration and the right accounting system were important.
    Bakare said that young businessmen and women  should be able to take advantage of  every situation to develop their businesses.
    “Nigeria of today shows that it has become very critical to create multiple sources of income,  and the best you can do with your time and skill is to work for yourself; hence, entrepreneurship.
    “Entrepreneurs must look for opportunities, identify them,” he said, adding that they should be courageous to take necessary risks.
    “Entrepreneurs can re-purpose an already existing business by adding value through skill development.
    “In business, you must not be afraid to ask for help; learn from those that have recorded successes in the area you have interest, and never be afraid of failure,” he said.
    He said that failure should be a catalyst to achieve success.
    “When you fail, it is not the end but something that can be used to achieve your aim in business,” he said.
    The Managing Director of ILF Consulting Engineers,  Mr Abiodun Oshodi, emphasised the need for innovativeness.
    He said that entrepreneurship was  important in every  industry.
    Oshodi said that while education was  important, acquisition of a skill set was  very critical to adding value to any business endeavour.
    “I urge everyone here to learn a skill, as skill is the easiest thing to transfer into entrepreneurship.
    “Even in the financial technology space, you must acquire and develop a skill. Be innovative to stand out.
    “I am not asking you not go to school, but apply an idea from a dream and a skill to give it a more competitive edge,” he said.
    The Captain of Girls Brigade, Wesley church, Lekki,  Mrs Jumoke Solesi, urged discipline, hard work, punctuality and the right attitude to business, to engender growth.
    Solesi also said that advertisement was  necessary for  business expansion.
    The Captain of  the Boys Brigade of the chapel, Mr Taiwo Obasa, urged the youth to embrace emerging technologies.
    He said that application of technologies would advance  business operations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ARM/ISHO/IGO
    ==============
    Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Ijeoma Popoola