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  • Traffic Law: Lagos CP warns commercial bus, tricycle operators

    L-R (5th, 6th: ACP Paul Okafor, representing CP Adegoke Fayoade of Lagos command, Mr Segun Musa, Chairman of GTP) and Area Traffic Officers, during a one-day training workshop in Lagos (NAN)

    Traffic Law: Lagos CP warns commercial bus, tricycle operators

    Violation
    By Moses Omorogieva
    Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, has vowed to prosecute commercial bus and tricycle operators caught violating traffic laws in the state.

    Fayoade said this on Friday while declaring open a one-day train-the -trainers’ workshop for Area Traffic Officers.

    The training was organised by the Global Transport Policy Training Academy (GTP), in collaboration with the Police Command in Lagos.

    The theme of the training was: “Improving Traffic Policing: Leveraging on Emotional intelligence Skills”.

    Fayoade, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area F Ikeja, Mr Paul Okafor, expressed concern about the lawlessness of commercial bus and tricycle operators on Lagos roads.

    The CP advised road users to always obey and respect traffic officers, saying they were working for the good interest of all in Lagos state.

    He commended the organisers of the training programme, pointing out that the theme was apt and showed their good thoughts towards people in Lagos State.

    According to Fayoade, the training will go a long way in assisting the police in traffic management.

    The Chairman/Chief Consultant, GTP, Mr Segun Musa, said the purpose of the training was to advance and reshape the traffic situation in Lagos State.

    He said the theme: “Improving Traffic Policing: Leveraging on Emotional Intelligence Skills”, was pivotal to ensuring a wholesome engagement of the public.

    “Beyond infrastructural deficit, we have the human element crucial to order and civility. This is where Emotional Intelligence is crucial.

    “Experts have maintained that if order is not maintained in terms of traffic-related issues, by 2030, Lagos would be losing about $21 billion (about N31.5 trillion) monthly.

    “Lagos needs a traffic system that is effective and efficient. As you all know, Lagos presently accommodates at least 40 per cent of the total registered vehicles in Nigeria, with an estimated population of 20 million people,” he said.

    Musa said that the train-the-trainer format would enable Area Traffic Officers to train Divisional Traffic Officers for broader impact. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
    MIO/KOO/SOA
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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Oluwole Sogunle

  • Nigeria Customs generates N249b within 5 months in Rivers

     

    Revenue

    Ikuru Lizzy

    Onne (Rivers), June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Rivers, said it has generated more than N249 billion as at May, 2024 representing 40.3 per cent of its current annual revenue target.

    Comptroller of the command, Muhammed Babandede, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at Onne.

    According to him, the 40.3 per cent revenue record followed a recent review of the command’s annual revenue target from N494 billion to N618 billion.

    The comptroller noted that when compared to the same period in 2023, the command had recorded an increase of more than N153 billion.

    He also said that six containers laden with codeine, contraband drugs and goods valued at more than N3 billion were also confiscated within the period under review.

    He said that the seizures included four containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of more than N911 million.

    Others, the controller said, were two containers laden with 2,625 cartons of codeine syrup among other contraband valued at more than N2 billion.

    Babandede commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for inter-agency collaboration while also assuring adequate handover of seizures.

    He also emphasised that the command would not relent on its core function of trade facilitation which entailed streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedures for clearing import or export goods.

    On the operations of bonded terminals, the comptroller explained that the final destination for clearing of consignment was at the importer’s discretion.

    “These procedures are guide which all Customs officers must adhere to.

    “This negates the erroneous belief that officers of the Onne command connive with operators of Bonded Terminals to transfer containers,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LMI/DCO/MNA

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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Maureen Atuonwu

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hajj flights: Kebbi maintains first-in first-out arrangement 

  • Troops neutralise several bandits in Kaduna– Official

    Troops neutralise several bandits in Kaduna– Official

    Bandits

    By Muhammad Tijjani

    Kaduna, June. 21, 2024(NAN) The Kaduna State Government (KDSG), said several bandits have been eliminated in another coordinated attack by the military in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Kaduna

    Aruwan said that the coordinated ground and air strikes by the troops of Operation Whirl Punch successfully neutralised several bandits including some of their leaders at an identified meeting point near Bula community within Yadi forest in Giwa locality.

    He said that according to operational feedback to the state government, the strike was based on credible intelligence which followed the recent elimination of some bandits’ kingpins along the Kaduna-Katsina border areas.

    According to him, the intelligence report had earlier revealed that bandits were to converge at the area for a meeting on a deadly mission within the Yadi forest general area.

    Arywan said, “Close monitoring followed, and at the agreed time, the bandits were sighted bearing arms and approaching the location on motorcycles.

    ”Further exploration confirmed the movements and convergence of the bandits in a group of about seven to 10 members at a hub in the location.

    “Upon verification, the location was struck and scores of the bandits including one Alhaji Kachalla Ragas, an ally and childhood friend of the previously neutralised Buharin Yadi were confirmed to have been neutralised by the strike.”

    The commissioner said that Gov. Uba Sani has expressed his satisfaction and commended the security forces for their quick response, diligent efforts and precise execution.

    ”The governor thanked the various sources who provided crucial intelligence leading to the successful strike.

    “Citizens are encouraged to continue to volunteer useful information on suspicious movements to the state’s security operations room via the following phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999, (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    TJ/DCO/BRM

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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

    07033157563

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Burna Boy did not pay all UPTH patients’ bills, says spokesperson

     

    UPTH

    By Desmond Ejibas

    Port Harcourt, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has faulted reports that musician, Burna Boy, covered all medical bills for patients during a recent visit to the hospital.

    The hospital clarified that the music icon only settled the bills of selected patients at the facility, contrary to claims of covering all outstanding bills.

    Mrs Elabha Meni, the institution’s spokesperson, made the clarification in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    “We commend Burna Boy’s kindness in financially assisting select patients in our hospital to offset their bills during his visit on June 11.

    “However, contrary to reports stating that all patients bills in UPTH were paid during the visit, only selected patients received cash gifts or donations.

    “The hospital did not receive direct payments from the musician and his team on behalf of patients to support this worthy course of reducing healthcare cost,” Meni clarified.

    Meni lauded the musician’s charitable act in helping those in need in the society. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DES/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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  • NGO donates relief materials, cash to 2,010 displaced households in Plateau

    Donation
    By Polycarp Auta
    Mangu (Plateau), June 21, 2024 (NAN) An NGO, Plan International, has donated relief materials and cash to 2,010 displaced households in communities in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau.
    Presenting the items to the beneficiaries on Friday in Mangu, Mr. Hanoch Hebron, the Gender Advisor of the organisation said that the gesture was in collaboration with Action Aid, Christian Aid and supported by Start Network.
    “Today we are here to support the people that were affected by the series of conflicts by providing non food items to cushion the effect of their current hardship.
    “The gesture is intended to support these households to restore their dignity and basic needs to enable them to go about their normal lives in spite of what has happened to them.
    “In all, we are supporting 2,010 households; we have beneficiaries in Tielangpat, Mangun, Chikam and other two locations that form part of Mangu and Bokkos.
    “Here in Mangun, we have a total of 282 households beneficiaries while there are 700 beneficiaries in other locations.
    “We also presented N60,000 cash to each of the beneficiaries to enable them to start petty businesses to become economically independent,”he said
    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Happy Dauda, expressed delight over the gesture saying it would go a long way to ameliorate their plight.
    She promised that the beneficiaries would put the items to good use.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items donated include mattresses, mosquito nets, torchlights and blankets.
    Other items donated were bathing and washing soap, kitchen accessories – knifes, plate, spoons among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AZA/IU
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    Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

  • Nigeria committed to harnessing full Potential of maritime resources – Badaru

    Maritime

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing the full potential of the nation’s maritime resources for economic prosperity.

    Badaru said this in Abuja on Friday at the commemoration of the 2024 World Hydrography Day, organised by the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event titled “Hydrographic Information-Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Marine Activities”.

    The minister commended the Nigerian Navy for her instrumental role in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s national hydrographic services capacity.

    According to him, it is on record that for decades, the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office has worked tirelessly to develop our hydrographic capability, ensuring the safety of navigation and contribution to the national security.

    He said that the creation of the National Hydrographic Agency was to build upon that solid foundation and expand Nigeria’s capability to meet evolving needs of the nation’s maritime sector.

    “Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we are committed to harnessing the full potential of our maritime resources and opportunities to take Nigeria out of the present economic doldrums to birth a diversified economy for sustainable growth and development,” he said.

    He emphasised the importance of hydrographic information for enhancing maritime safety by providing accurate and up to date information to vessels to navigate the nation’s waters safely.

    He also said that it would help vessels avoid hazards and reduce the risks of accidents.

    He added that this was particularly crucial in Nigeria where the nation’s ports where busy shipping lines and offshore oil and gas were vital to the economy.

    According to him, by providing detailed hydrographic data, the national hydrographic agency will help ensure that our maritime activities are conducted safely and efficiently.

    ”Moreover, the National Radiographic Agency will play a critical role in promoting environmental sustainability as we strive to balance economic growth and environmental protection.

    “Hydrographic information will guide our efforts to manage maritime resources sustainably, monitor coastal erosion and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

    Badaru said that the strategic significance of the National Hydrocarbon Agency extended beyond safety and sustainability.

    According to him, the agency will enhance the efficiency of Nigerian maritime operations, which will lead to reduce operational costs, increase competitiveness and new economic opportunities.

    He assured the agency that the Federal Government would continue to invest in the development of Nigeria’s national hydrographic capacity in areas such as the acquisition of state of the art survey technologies, building skilled workforce and fostering international partnerships.

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the navy had made several attempts at domestic charts for Nigerian waters.

    Ogalla said that the effort was in realisation of the fact that hydrography was actually a public good, just like construction of roads.

    According to him, you really cannot quantify the impact it will have in terms of value and that is why enormous resources are required.

    He added that the navy and other agencies in the maritime domain had made tremendous effort towards fulfilling their roles of providing the information required to produce nautical charts and other aids to navigation and safety of mariners.

    ”We have charts covering Nigerian waters and most of these charts were based on information obtained by the British when they were here along the line.

    ”We have had several other improvements on those charts, particularly in the past 10 to 15 years.

    ”But we still noticed serious gaps when it comes to surveying in our waters and that gap is not only in Nigerian waters, it’s the whole of Africa, particularly West Africa”, he said.

    The CNS explained that the Africa integrated multi strategy recognised that the eradication of poverty in Africa depended on the ability of African nations to exploit the resources in the marine environment.

    According to him, it is projected that the marine environment (the blue economy), is the vital ways we can propel ourselves out of poverty.

    “we are gradually moving towards having all our charts produced in Nigeria, not only charts, but caribbean graphic information generally.

    ”And these include notices to mariners and all other aspects of arbitrary things that are required to improve safety on our waters”.

    The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Adm. Ayodeji Olugbode, said Nigeria’s advancement in hydrography has laid a solid foundation for the nation’s progress.

    Olugbode said that the Federal Government’s investment had bolstered navy’s capacity as a nation to conduct comprehensive surveys of the nation’s territorial waters up to the extremities of its exclusive economic zone.

    These vessels, according to him, are not just assets; they are symbols of sovereignty and our unwavering commitment to maritime safety and operational excellence.

    “What we have achieved this year will include the launching of a revised national charting scheme, the maiden edition of our catalogue of Nigerian charts, and a chart of the approaches to Lagos harbor.

    ”All of these were achieved within the first half of this year, even though some of these works commenced even before I came into office.

    “The conduct of surveys in Nigeria speaks volumes of a long standing commitment in the field of hydrography, but our progress does not end here.

    ”Looking ahead, capacity building remains a top priority and we are committed to equipping our hydrographers with the best training and resources, ensuring that they are well prepared to meet challenges of the future,” Olugbode said.

    According to him, technologies and innovative methodologies will continue to drive efforts to produce high quality hydrographic data that is crucial to maritime success. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/DCO/ADA

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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Deji Abdulwahab

     

  • Enugu State Govt. approves N44m bursaries for 294 Law Students

     

    Bursary

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved N44.1 million as bursaries for 294 indigenes of the state currently studying at the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the country.

    Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on External Relations, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

    Anichukwu said that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, adding that 284 had already been verified and paid the sum of N150, 000 each.

    He said the gesture was part of government’s support and effort to accelerate human capital development in the state.

    He added that Mbah also awarded a scholarship in the sum of N12m to Miss Chidiogo Igwebuike, an indigene of Ukana in Udi Council Area of the state to train as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He said in appreciation, the beneficiaries under the umbrella of the National Association of Enugu State Law Students, described the gesture as an auspicious intervention.

    “In a letter by the National President of the Association, Stephen Obiora; the National Secretary, Johnpaul Obisike; and the National Public Relations Officer, Uzoamaka Aguoma, pledged to make the state proud.

    “They commended Mbah for his vision and commitment to educational development in the state,” Anichukwu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the governor had in May awarded scholarship in the sum of N23.3m to one Israel Echezona, a 17-year old indigene of Mgbagbu-Owa, Enugu State, to enable him trained as a pilot. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/DCO/MNA

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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Maureen Atuonwu

  • Cholera: Agege LG suspends school food vendors

     

     

     

    Cholera

    By Kazeem Akande

    Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Agege Local Government in Lagos State has suspended food vendors in schools in the area as a way of preventing the outbreak of cholera.

    The council has also embarked on rigorous sensitisations to prevent outbreak of the disease in its communities.

    Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, Executive Chairman of the council, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

    According to the chairman, efforts have been put in place to sensitise market stakeholders and schools on radio to prevent the outbreak within the community.

    “We have suspended all school food vendors to ensure safety of the pupils and students.

    “We have informed both the pupils and students on radio stations to come with their foods to ensure their safety from the cholera disease.

    “This development will allow us to detect and prevent the outbreaks in our community,” he said.

    Egunjobi added that schools were visited and inspected to ensure the children are in good health and environmental condition.

    According to him, market traders in various communities were also enlightened and sensitised to adopt environmental hygiene in their places to prevent the outbreak.

    “We are working tirelessly to prevent the menace of cholera outbreak in our community.

    “We are using various means to talk to our people, through landlord associations and others,  to caution them on ensuring hygiene in preparing  foods and drinks.

    “We urge residents to acquaint themselves with precautionary measures against the deadly cholera disease outbreak.”

    NAN reports that the killer disease has spread to over 30 states with Lagos recording 24 deaths from 417 cases. (NAN)

    AKA/CHOM/FAA

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Folasade Adeniran

     

     

  • Hajj Flynas begins transportation of Nigerian pilgrims back home Saturday

    Transportation

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Makkah (Saudi Arabia), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Flynas, a Saudi-designated air carrier, says it will commence the transportation of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims back home on Saturday.

    The Managing Director, First Planet Travels and General Sales Agent (GSA) of Flynas, Alhaji Umar Kaila, said this in a statement on Friday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    He said the maiden return flight would begin with the pilgrims from Kebbi from the King AbdulAziz International Airport, Jeddah to Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi.

    Kaila said, ” We are happy to announce that Flynas is fully set to begin phase two of the airlift operation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria from Saturday, June 22, with pilgrims from Kebbi state.

    “Like we had a seamless transportation operation from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia during phase one without any delay.

    ” We have made adequate arrangements to transport our pilgrims back to Nigeria in a seamless and efficient manner.”

    He said the airline has concluded arrangements to ensure a smooth and seamless return airlift operation from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.

    Kaila added,  Flynas will transport pilgrims from Kebbi, Lagos, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Borno, Osun, Ogun, and Niger states back to Nigeria in the second leg of the operation. ”

    He said the airline would conduct the return operation in 49 flights with five aircraft.

    The Makkah Coordinator of the airline, Malam Ahmad Ruma, said ground staff of Flynas have started processing Kebbi state pilgrims in their accommodations in the holy city of Makkah.

    He  said, “Our staff have already processed the Kebbi state pilgrims for the first return flight.

    ” They met them in their accommodations in Makkah, manifested them in the aircraft, weighed and tagged their 32-kg luggage, among others.”

    The Makkah coordinator said the airline has also started processing pilgrims from Lagos state for the return journey.

    Flynas is one of the three airlines engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to transport over 50,000 state pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

    The two others are Max Air and Air Peace. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SSI/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani