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Belarus begins major military drills near Poland, Ukraine and Russia
Belarus begins major military drills near Poland, Ukraine and Russia
Drills
Moscow, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Russia’s close ally Belarus has initiated major military manoeuvres in two regions: one bordering Poland and the other near Russia, both of which also border Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence in Minsk did not provide any information on the number of soldiers and technology involved on Friday.
It was reported, in a ministry statement on Instagram, that operational command units, special forces, missile troops, artillery, air force and air defence were involved.
In the first part of the exercise, the troops were to be deployed to the specified manoeuvre areas and fortify their positions there. After that, the actual combat exercises were to begin, the ministry stated.
Training areas were named in the Brest region on Belarus’ western border with Poland and in the Gomel region in the east on the border with Russia. Both regions also border Ukraine from the north.
Belarus is closely allied with Russia under the authoritarian leadership of Lukashenko, who has become increasingly dependent on Putin to sustain his regime.
It’s only with Russian help that he held onto power following falsifications in the 2020 presidential election and mass protests.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with its forces also attacking from Belarus with Lukashenko’s support. Moscow has stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
COO/HA
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

June 21, 2024
Police arraign 1 mechanic, 2 farmers for alleged phone, cash theft
Police arraign 1 mechanic, 2 farmers for alleged phone, cash theft
Theft
By Aderemi Bamgbose
Okitipupa (Ondo) June 21, 2024 (NAN) The police on Friday arraigned one mechanic and two farmers in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly stealing a phone worth N42,000 and N120,000 cash.
The three accused persons are Sunday Igbajowo, 20 (mechanic), Olamilekan Temitope, 33 and Ayodeji Akinsote, 25, both farmers, charged with felony, burglary and theft.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the three men on March 11, 2024 around 11 p.m at Igbosika Street, Ode-Aye in Okitipupa magisterial district, conspired to commit felony.
Orogbemi said the men burgled the house of one Samson Setimi and stole one Intel P33 android phone valued N42,000 and N120,000 cash.
He added that the suspects committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 516 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
However, the men pleaded not guilty and the Chief Magistrate, Mr Philip Akinlosetu, granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each and one surety each in like sum.
The magistrate added that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction, and must show and present evidence of two years tax payment to the state government, as he adjourned the case till
June 27 for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
BAA/FEO/HA
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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

June 21, 2024
Police arraign man, 42, over alleged forgery, fraud
Arraignment
By Funmilayo Okunade
Ado-Ekiti, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The police, on Friday, arraigned a 42-year-old man, Seyi Olakanmi, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged forgery and fraud.
The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and breach of peace.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 7 at about 10 a.m. at Erinfun Street, off Poly road, Ado-Ekiti.
He said that Olakanmi forged a receipt of ASAO family land and Fajemilua family land.
Bamikole said that the defendant also obtained the sum of N630,000 from one Ekele Daniel on the pretext of selling a plot of land that did not belong to him.
He also said that Olakanmi conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 376(1), 329(3) and 181(D) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to grant his client bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Saka Afunso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with two sureties in like sum.
Afunso said that one of the sureties must provide evidence of payment of tax for the last three years.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 15 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FOA/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
June 21, 2024
PETAN partners Abia govt. to own, operate upstream assets
PETAN Chairman, Wole Ogunsanya FNSE led a delegation of PETAN EXCO and members on an official visit to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR to propose for partnership to own and operate upstream assets in Abia State.

Asset
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) is planning to partner with the Abia State Government on a Joint Venture (JV) model to own and operate upstream assets in the state.
Dr Innocent Akuvue, Publicity Secretary of PETAN, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos following PETAN’s official visit to Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.
Mr Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of PETAN, presented the proposal to the governor, suggesting a joint venture between PETAN and the Abia Government.
According to him, the partnership aims to identify and develop potential upstream assets in the state.
Ogunsanya explained that the joint venture would align with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)’s support for securing assets under its marginal field scheme.
The chairman noted that PETAN would leverage its capacities and capabilities to develop these assets to first oil.
He noted that PETAN had identified 53 existing wells and 105 capped wellheads within Abia.
“The economic benefits of our value proposition to Abia State, Your Excellency, include major internally generated revenue (IGR) and direct foreign currency earnings.
“Others tax accruals, employment generation, and support of the Presidential Directive to increase oil and gas production in the country.
“This will also develop local content through the active engagement of a value-delivering consortium, patronising existing in-country entities with the capabilities to deliver cost-effective management strategies,” Ogunsanya said.
In response, Governor Otti welcomed the proposal and instructed his Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources to provide maximum support to PETAN to ensure the project’s realisation.
He also promised to liaise with the NUPRC to lend his support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PETAN is an association of Nigerian indigenous technical oilfield service companies operating in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry.
The association aims to bring together Nigerian oil and gas entrepreneurs to create a forum for the exchange of ideas with major operators and policymakers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
YO/GOM/AWA
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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Olawunmi Ashafa
June 21, 2024
Paediatrician wants parents to watch out for cancer signs in children
Cancer
By Joy Odigie
Benin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Dr Magdalene Odunvbun, a Paediatric oncologist, has urged parents and guardians to watch out for early signs of cancer in children and seek prompt medical examination and treatment.
Odunvbun, a paediatrician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, gave the advice on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
She said “our greatest challenge in cancer management in children is that by the time they come for treatment, they come very late.
“The disease would have spread to other parts of the body and the percentage of care has become very low; what should have had a 90 per cent rate of cure, becomes five percent.
“Parents should not wait for an abnormal growth of cancers in their children’s bodies to grow very big before seeking appropriate care.
“Parents should also stop using native treatment for tumors, this is because by the time they present to the hospital, they would have exhausted all their money without a cure.”
According to her, children do have cancers just like adults. Cancers develop in body cells which are present in both adults and children.
“Cancer simply means uncontrolled multiplication of body cells. The common sites of cancer in children are the eyes, the kidney, blood and the lymph nodes.
“For eye cancer, the early signs include a speck in the child’s eye that looks like a cataract; a tumor growing in the retina.
“In some children, early signs of cancers include growth appearing in certain parts of the body; it can be on the neck, stomach. It can be anywhere.
“Once you see any abnormal growth anywhere in your child’s body, let the child be taken to the hospital for examination.
‘For blood cancer, the child starts having repeated shortage of blood. By the time a child has received blood transfusion for two times within a short period, the child should be assessed in the hospital.
“Blood cancer in children can also be present in the child’s body, always getting hot and you are always treating the child for fever; let the child be assessed in the hospital,” she said.
She lamented lack of financial support for cancer treatment in children, urging government and non government actors to assist the victims.
“Parents do not receive government support for treatment. Often, they abandon the treatment because they cannot afford it, even when the child is close to being cured.
“Due to the lack of funds to continue treatment, the cancer often returns after being abandoned.
“In the developed world, eight out of every 10 children with cancer are cured, but in Nigeria, only two out of ten may be cured.
“In developed countries, the government covers the cost of treating children through health insurance, so, parents are not paying out of pocket. This ensures timely treatment and better compliance,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OOJ/ADA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

June 21, 2024
Ukraine says over 52,000 troops trained by EU
Ukraine says over 52,000 troops trained by EU
Troops
Kiev, June 21, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Over 52,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained under the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), local media reported on Friday.
Ukrainian soldiers, sergeants and officers have participated in the training programme, according to the country’s defense ministry.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Balanutsa urged the EU to extend the training mission as the Ukrainian army is forming new brigades.
The two-year EUMAM was launched on Nov. 15, 2022.
The mission includes training on demining, medical assistance, maintenance and repair, among others, and is conducted on the EU’s soil. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
UMD/AMM
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 21, 2024
NGO hosts inter-school debate to inspire youth action on environment
NGO hosts inter-school debate to inspire youth on environment
Environment
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The C-Circle Research Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, an NGO, has conducted an inter-school debate competition to promote environmental sustainability and awareness among young people.
The founder of the NGO, Dr Chimere Ohajinwa, stated that the event was part of activities commemorating the 2024 World Environment Day, themed “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
The event, which held in Abuja on Friday was in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and other partners.
Ohajinwa said that 10 schools participated, engaging in discussions on climate change, environmental impacts, policy solutions, and sustainable practices.
According to her, the debate competition is a way to broaden children’s knowledge about the environment, climate change, and their impacts.
“The debate also aims to improve public speaking and critical thinking skills in the students.
“The competition is planned to be held three times a year, with other topics organised for debate.
“From the presentations, tree planting is used to control erosion, prevent deforestation, and mitigate other natural disasters.”
Ohajinwa explained that the second discussion concluded that both infrastructure and public awareness were important for effective waste management.
He further said that the event would educate participants, raise awareness, and inspire proactive measures among the younger generation.
On his part, Oritsejolomi Ayomike, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, said Rotary is a humanitarian organisation that collaborates with the government and educational institutions.
According to him, the club works to create public awareness about harmful environmental practices and their health implications, such as open defecation and deforestation.
Ayomike emphasised that the goal was not to determine the best school but to raise awareness and educate students about environmental maintenance and its health implications.
“Our focus areas are the environment and basic education, which led to bringing students from different schools to debate environmental issues,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 schools were invited, but nine participated in the competition.
The debate topics were “Tree Planting Improves Restoration and Reduces Desertification” and “Is the biggest challenge to effective waste management in Nigeria as a result of lack of infrastructure or lack of Public Awareness”.
Regina Pacis College Garki, Abuja won first place, followed by Government Secondary School, Gwagwa, in second place.
Bristol Academy, Karu, took third place, and Government Secondary School, Life-Camp, secured fourth place.
The schools received drought-resistance trees donated by Ecosmart Climate Action Initiatives.
The trees would be planted in the schools to commemorate World Environment Day 2024.
It would be monitored by C-Circle Research, a sister organisation to C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment.
NAN also reports that World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5, encourages awareness and action for environmental protection.
It is supported by numerous non-governmental organisations, businesses, and government entities and represents the primary United Nations outreach day for the environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TAK/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

June 21, 2024
Nigerians can vote out under-performing leaders -C’River REC

Politicians
By Christian Njoku
Calabar, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Gabriel Yomere, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Cross River, has said that Nigerians reserve the right to vote out under-performing political leaders.
Yomere stated this at the second quarter consultative meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and leaders of civil society organisations in Calabar on Friday.
He said that Nigerians should refuse to accept the notion that every politician must serve two terms irrespective of their performance.
The INEC official said that it was unproductive and irresponsible to stay indoors during elections after criticising an under-performing politician.
“After assuming duty as the REC in Cross River in 2022, I went through the records and saw that the 2019 election turnout was extremely poor.
”I became very worried and decided to do something about it. But after the 2023 election, the outcome remained poor,” he said.
Yomere said that part of the reasons for meeting with civil society organisations was to seek their support towards citizens participation in the electoral process.
“Civil society organisations are critical stakeholders in the electoral process, they need to work with INEC and security agencies to achieve results,” he said.
The REC who said that Continuous Voter Registration exercise would soon commence, urged civil society groups to participate in the mobilisation of residents.
Also speaking, Mr Nsikak Ikpeme, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar chapter, said that the 2023 governorship election in Cross River witnessed apathy because the electorate were dissatisfied with the electoral process.
Ikpeme said that to ensure a credible electoral process, INEC should be willing to adopt technology, saying,” this will rebuild confidence and trust in the system”
Sheik Abdulkadir Ibrahim, NASFAT Commissioner for Cross River, commended INEC for the meeting, and appealed that such meetings should be held more frequently.
Mrs Julie Agbor, the President, National Council of Women Society, urged the commission to involve more women groups in its activities to deepen grassroots mobilisation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CBN/DCO/AZU
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Edited by Deborah Coker and Azubuike Okeh
June 21, 2024
FG, EU to strengthen cooperation, regional agreements

Cooperation
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it is committed to ensuring that its relations with the EU continues to evolve by actively promoting partnership in all facets of their cooperation.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, communicated this at a reception held on Friday in Abuja to receive the 11 EU ambassadors to West Africa who arrived from Brussels.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ambassadors were received by Ms Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS at her residence in Abuja.
Speaking to the guests, Bagudu, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation in areas of rule of law, democracy, climate change, migration, amongst others to make life better for the citizenry.
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to empowering young people with the view of making them the catalysts for economic development in the country.
She said that one the approved laudable policies and initiatives to be implemented by the administration was 30 per cent inclusion of youths in government.
“The launch of the presidential initiative on youth enterprise clusters to make young people the drivers of the economy and improve their access to finances is commendable,” she said.
Earlier, Isopi said that the essence of the gathering was to foster partnerships and strengthen ties.
NAN reports that the 11 ambassadors are expected to hold series of meetings with the Nigerian government and communities during their visit. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ETIM/CJ/
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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

June 21, 2024
Russia reports Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refinery, Crimean port
Russia reports Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refinery, Crimean port
Attacks
Moscow, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) One person died and several were injured during Ukrainian drone attacks overnight against an oil refinery in southern Russia and also the Crimea, Russian authorities said on Friday.
Two people were injured in the refinery attack in the Krasnodar region, the state news agency TASS reported, citing the regional crisis response centre.
The fire has since been extinguished, it said.
Another drone attack in the region caused damage to the bus station in the town of Yuzhny and an industrial plant in the city of Krasnodar on Friday morning.
One boiler house worker was killed and at least four people were injured by falling drone debris, according to the report.
A total of 114 Ukrainian drones were shot down in the combined attacks, 70 of them over the Crimea and the Sea of Azov alone.
The Ministry of Defence in Moscow said.
Several Ukrainian remote-controlled boats with explosives were also reportedly destroyed.
The information could not be independently verified. Previously, the Russian side has omitted to confirm actual damage in attacks that it claimed to have repelled.
On this occasion, drones targeting the Crimean port city of Sevastopol were successfully downed.
According to the Russian-appointed governor Mikhail Rasvozhayev.
A drone was also reportedly shot down over Russia’s southern Volgograd region, which is far away from Ukraine.
For its part, Russia targeted Ukraine with four cruise missiles overnight but all of them were intercepted, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Friday.
Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. Kyiv has since received extensive military aid from Western allies to maintain its defensive campaign.
In an attempt to disrupt Russian military supplies, Ukraine also began to attack targets on Russian territory, especially oil refineries and transport infrastructure.
With Western help, the country has also significantly expanded its own drone production.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
COO/HA
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

June 21, 2024