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  • Anambra Assembly confirms 21 LG transition committee chairmen

     

     

    Confirmation

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed Mr Romanus Ibekwe and 20 others, including a woman, as new transition committee chairmen.

     

    The transition committees are to manage the administration of local government areas for three months in the first instance.

     

    The lawmakers confirmed all the nominees at a  plenary session on Thursday after the nominees were screened by the relevant committees of the assembly.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo sent their names to the House of Assembly for consideration on Wednesday.

     

    The only woman among the chairmen is Amaka Obi,  for Idemili South LGA.

    Mr Chukwuma Okoye, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, who presented the nominees, said that all them met the requirements.

    He requested that the assembly should approve their nomination.

    Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, subjected the request to members of the assembly, who unanimously voted for the approval  adoption.

     

    Udeze said that the exercise was in  fulfillment of Section 208 of the Local Government Law of 1999 as amended.

     

    The speaker also announced the names of councillors who would work with the Chairmen in their various LGAs.

     

    Councillors nominated for Ezi-Anam Ward and Ukpor Ward 5 in  Anambra West and Nnewi South, respectively,  were stepped down based on petitions against them.

     

    Meanwhile, the Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) has expressed concern at the constitution of  the transition committees.

     Mr Chris Azor, the Coordinator of ACSONET, who reacted to the nomination and confirmation of the committees, said that the civil society desired to see democracy at the grassroots.

     

     “We feel worried about the development. 

     

    “However, we feel the governor may have nominated the transition committee  members in order to avoid a vacuum.

     

    “We implore the governor to make this the last transition to a guaranteed democracy at that level, as enshrined in Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

     

    Anambra State Gov.  Chukwuma Soludo had, in a letter dated May 17, sacked the former transition chairmen and directed them  to handover affairs of  local governments to the heads of local government administration.

     

    The nomination came as a surprise to some people who expected that Soludo would conduct local government elections soon since he sent a bill for re-establishment of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission  to the assembly in May. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/IGO 

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

  • Okun-Ajah community urges minister to keep promise on Lagos-Calabar alignment

    Protest
    By Adekunle Williams
    Lagos, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Okun-Ajah community in Lagos State has appealed to the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, to keep to his promise on the implementation of gazetted Lagos-Calabar Coastal alignment.

    The Okun-Ajah community made the appeal during a peaceful protest in Lagos on Thursday in which they asked for the implementation of the original Lagos-Calabar Coastal alignment.

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the community lawyer, Mr Bolanle Olugbani, begged the President Bola Tinubu not to allow anybody to tamper with the original coastal road alignment.

    The protesters carried various placards with inscriptions “Mr Umahi, Keep to your words”, “Property owners along the gazetted coastal alignment should bear the consequences, do not encourage impunity”, “Illegal construction on the original coastal road should not be encouraged,” among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the counsel begged the government not to deviate from the original alignment the minister had agreed to follow.

    He said: “I am here to support the protest with regards to the coastal road alignment which we are hearing from reliable sources is about to be tampered with, after almost 30 years.

    “The coastal road alignment was passed into law by the Lagos State government in collaboration with the Federal Government almost 30 years ago. The alignment designated a particular corridor for the future which is now the present coastal road.

    “People who bought land in the Lekki axis, particularly the Okun-Ajah, Mokun, Akinlade and its environs, were advised to do their due diligence to avoid buying land in an area that is already committed for the coastal road.

    “Many people didn’t comply, they bought properties at a humongous amount, built estates and invested heavily only for the Federal Government to decide to begin the coastal road 26 years after.

    “So, those who do not conform with the original alignment deliberately bought lands in areas already designated for Coastal road,” he pointed out.

    Olugbani said the community also had equal rights and they had conformed with the original coastal road alignment by not infringing on the committed and designated coastal road corridor.

    He pleaded with the government not to change the gazetted alignment.

    The counsel urged the president not to allow the people who had conformed with the gazetted coastal alignment to be made victims.

    Responding, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Keisha, appreciated the protesters for not taking laws into their hands and opting for a peaceful protest

    “You have come as peaceful protesters to come and bare out your minds to the government and this government is a listening government.

    “The honourable minister has demonstrated in a number of occasions that he listens. I am sure as you are doing this, the information is going to get to him.

    “I have already informed him that people are complaining about the alignment and he asked me to let you come last Sunday but I couldn’t because it was on Sallah day. So he promised to come back in a week’s time.

    “I believe the minister does not look down on people. He listens. It is just that it is impossible to please everybody,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    WAC/IKU

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    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • FG, AHF advocate strong sexual education among youths

    FG, AHF advocate strong sexual education among youths

    Advocacy

    By Justina Auta

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, and others have advocated for a strong sexual education among youths to enhance health outcomes and protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and violence.

    They made the call at an event organised by AHF Nigeria to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the African Child (IDAC), on Thursday in Abuja.

    Kemi Gbadamosi, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Marketing, AHF Africa Bureau, said CSE would address the increasing new infection rates of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies amongst youths.

    “Part of the reason we see this spike in infection rates amongst young people is lack of access to the right information, sexual reproductive health services, information and tools like CSE.

    “Research tells us that access to age appropriate education helps to reduce HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, delay when young people begin to have sex and reduce cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and promote gender equality.”

    Gbadamosi explained that the organisation engaged parents and youths on the benefits of sexual education, which contravened popular opinions that it promotes promiscuity.

    “Contrary to popular opinions, a lot of parents, leaders say sexual education promotes promiscuity, but research tells us that when young people have access to age appropriate CSE, it stops them from being promiscuous.

    “It protects them, builds their self esteem and are able to make better decisions and more informed choices.

    “It also helps them to recognise when issues of violence and sexual harassment about to happen, so that they can protect themselves.

    “We have always got a pushback from parents, community leaders because they believe that whenever you say Comprehensive Sexual Education(CSE), you are talking about sex.

    “That is why engagement such as this also requires parents in the discussion to know the benefits.”

    Also, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, said: “it is important to discuss CSE because research has shown that CSEs improve health outcomes, empower youths and adolescents.

    “It helps them to make informed choices and not contract HIV and other STIs, and also reduce the risks of unwanted pregnancies.”

    Mrs Mariam Shu’aibu, Assistant Director, Child Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, said that issues on child marriage, HIV are issues that the ministry was advocating against.

    Njideka Ogbuke, Assistant Director, Education Support Department, Federal Ministry of Information, said equipping youths with the right information would reduce tendency of negative influence from social media and pornographic contents.

    Mrs Maria Okhilua, Director, Monitory and Evaluation, representing the Secretary, FCT Education Board, stressed the need to collaborate with policy makers, school administrators to ensure implementation of CSE.

    Miss Isabel Anani, Stand with Girl Initiative and UNICEF Young Influencer, said: “Young people should never feel the need to be peer pressured to do something.

    “Because it is a reoccurring trend when you see things happen, you want to follow the crowd.

    “But you have to sit back and think, how it will affect your future. There is a need to have inner dialogue and evaluate your priority,” she said. (NAN)

    JAD/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • FirstBank hosts cybersecurity webinar to enhance payment technology safety


    Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank

    Cybersecurity

    By Grace Alegba

    Lagos, June 20, 2024 (NAN) FirstBank has educated businesses and customers on the latest advancements in payment technologies to protect them from loosing their funds to hackers.

     

    Mr Harrison Nnaji, Chief Information Security Officer of the FirstBank, at a cybersecurity webinar, on Thursday, said that it was imperative to keep the bank’s customers knowledgeably equipped with essential strategies to safeguard themselves from cyber threats.

     

    The webinar which has the theme: “Unlocking Secure Convenience: Exploring the Future of Payments Technologies”.

     

    Nnaji  said that customers would be protected from cyber threats if they practiced five to 10 per cent of measures from the quarterly webinar.

     

    Speaking on the topic, “Banking on Safety: Innovative Security Features on FirstBank Digital Products”, he appealed to participants to become ambassadors who would utilise the information and pass the knowledge to their communities.

     

    He highlighted the vulnerabilities of customer data to both internal and external threats and advocated for robust firewalls and enhanced privacy measures.

     

    He said that breakdown of global cybercrime damage costs predicted by Cybersecurity Ventures for 2024 indicated that 302,000 dollars would be lost to hackers per second, 18 million dollars per minute, 26 billion dollars daily and 9.5 trillion dollars a year.

     

    He outlined best practices for secure digital banking and detailed FirstBank’s commitment to cyber threat prevention through multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and real-time fraud detection.

     

    “Our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of security and privacy extends to every interaction and transaction.

     

    “It underscores FirstBank’s pledge to be the bank customers can always rely on for the utmost protection of their financial safety and personal privacy,” he added.

     

    Nnaji also stressed the shared responsibility between the bank and its customers in preventing financial losses. “Our goal is to ensure your hard-earned money remains secure,” he said.

     

    Mr Mayowa Adewumi, Cyber and Intelligence Regional Manager, Mastercard, discussed the evolution of the payment ecosystem and the associated risk factors due to technological advancements.

     

    He noted that it was imperative to prioritise over convenience, to prevent unauthorised access to funds.

     

    “As a customer, you play a crucial role in maintaining security by adopting best practices and staying informed and vigilant as payment technologies evolve,” Adewumi advised.

     

    Mr Peter Ehizogie, Regional Manager Product Sales, Cyber and Intelligence Solutions (West Africa) at Mastercard, explained backend security measures that require active customer participation.

     

    He highlighted the importance of choosing the best authentication options tailored to individual needs, such as password authentication with Multi-Factor Authentication instead of biometric options.

     

    Mr Emmanuel Okoroji, Head of Threat Intelligence & Risk Management, FirstBank, moderated the webinar, which provided valuable insights into the future of payment technologies, focusing on achieving secure and convenient transactions for businesses and consumers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    GA/AWA

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    Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

     

  • Anniversary: Lawmaker empowers 60 constituents with N30m in Kaduna

    Anniversary: Lawmaker empowers 60 constituents with N30m in Kaduna
    Achievements
    By Amen Gajira
    Kafanchan (Kaduna State) June 20, 2024 (NAN) Rep. Dan Amos (PDP/Kaduna), has empowered 60 of his constituents with N30 million as part of gestures to mark his one year in office.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries are expected to use the monies as seed funds to grow their small-scale businesses.
    Amos, who represents Jema’a and Sanga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, assured his constituents of more effective representation.
    He also revealed his achievements in his first year to include the award of scholarship to 200 students in tertiary institutions and the construction of a fully-equipped vocational and technical secondary school.
    Others include the distribution of 1400 bags of fertilizer, grinding and sewing machines as well as the drilling of 80 boreholes and rehabilitation of existing ones across the constituency.
    On infrastructure, Amos said he had embarked on the repair of roads, construction of a stadium in Sanga Local Government Area, provision of electricity and solar-powered lights.
    Amos expressed gratitude to God and the people of the constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve and promised to not let them down.
    In a message, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, represented by Mr Martins Galadima, commended the lawmaker for performing creditably in his first year in office.
    Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Governor of the state, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, had applauded Amos for exceeding all expectations and encouraged him to sustain the tempo. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AMEN/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Beware of fake employment letters, NIS warns

    Beware of fake employment letters, NIS warns
    Employment
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday drew the attention of Nigerians to fake and invalid employment letters in circulation purportedly issued by the service.
    The NIS made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, in Abuja.
    Udo warned desperate job seekers to exercise caution so as not to fall victim to the fraudsters.
    According to him, the fraudulent letters falsely claim that the recipients have been offered employment with the NIS.
    He said “the Service categorically denies any involvement in this fraudulent scheme and refutes the misinformation being spread on social media platforms regarding an ongoing recruitment/replacement exercise.
    “The NIS shall continue to ensure that any unscrupulous elements engaging in this criminality will be made to face the wrath of the law.
    “The public is hereby advised to report these scammers to the nearest NIS office or law enforcement agencies.

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise is exclusively advertised through reputable national dailies, television broadcasts, and our official website, http://www.immigration.gov.ng.

    Udo said that the Service was resolutely committed to safeguarding the interest of Nigerians and upholding the integrity of its recruitment processes.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/SOA
    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Man docked for allegedly stealing N350,000 worth phones

    Man docked for allegedly stealing N350,000 phones

    Theft
    By Aisha Gambo
    Kaduna, June 20, 2024(NAN) A 30-year-old man, Umar Hassan, on Thursday appeared  before a Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, for allegedly stealing two mobile phones worth N350,000.
    The prosecutor, ASP Luka Sadau, said that Hassan was brought to a police station by Mr Yahya Aliyu, the Secretary of Phone Sellers Union, Royal Phone Marketplace, on June 14.
    ” He was earlier reported to the union over alleged phone snatching.
    “The union leaders interrogated him but when they went to pray, he used the opportunity to steal two phones.
    ” He hid the phones and denied taking them but he was searched and the missing phones were retrieved,” the prosecutor said.
    Hassan m, however, pleaded not guilty.
    The Judge, Malam Anas Khalifa, granted him bail on the condition that he should present an iman or the traditional leader of his area of residence, as surety.
    The judge  adjourned  the case until June 27 for trial. (NAN)
    AMG/IGO
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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Withheld salaries: NASU, SSANU give 2-week ultimatum

    Withheld salaries: SSANU, NASU give 2-week ultimatum

    Ultimatum

    By Joan Nwagwu

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Two unions in tertiary institutions say they cannot guarantee industrial harmony if the federal government fails to pay their four months withheld salaries in two weeks.

    The unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

    The unions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), made their position known in a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The letter titled, “Re-Four months withheld salaries: Demand for immediate payment,” was signed by NASU General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim.

    The unions, in the letter, recalled that the JAC of NASU and SSANU had embarked on a one week warning strike between March 18 and March 24.

    “This is to protest the denial of the arrears of four months salaries withheld between May and August 24, 2022.

    “Following series of letters and the assurances of the payment, we write to remind the Honourable Minister of our various letters, engagements, assurances towards the payment of the four (4) months withheld salaries of SSANU and NASU.

    “We wish to express our regrets and dismay that up till date, the withheld salaries have not been paid to our members.

    “We view it as an act of insincerity and neglect on the part of government to the yearnings and aspirations of our members,”it said.

    The unions said that the government had negated the spirit of collective bargaining and built distrust.

    They added that the deafening silence of government and failure to pay the withheld salaries was creating high level of agitation and contention among their members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.

    “This is such that we can no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony on university campuses.

    “We, therefore, demand the immediate payment of the four months withheld salaries to our members not later than two weeks from the date of this correspondence, failing which we will be left with no option than to shut down the Universities and Inter-University Centres,”it said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    JAN/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

     

     

     

     

  • Man jailed 1 year over N1.6m theft

    Man jailed 1 year in over N1.6m theft

    Theft

    By Aisha Gambo

    Kaduna, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State on Thursday sentenced 42 year-old Nura Yahya to one year in a correctional facility for stealing items worth N1.6 million.

    The Judge, Malam Anas Khalifa, gave the judgment after the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.

    The judge stated that Yahya would pay N1 million compensation to the complainant after serving his one year jail term.

    He, however, gave the accused an option of N100,000 fine, pay N1.6 million compensation to the nominal complainant, Muhammad Sani, and also N20,000 cost of prosecution.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Abdilmumin Shuaibu, had said that the accused was taken in by the nominal complainant, who is a tanker driver, as an apprentice.

    “On Aug. 25, 2023, he was given custody of a tanker vehicle carrying gas worth N500,000, but he sold the gas and some vehicle parts worth N1.1m.

    “He has refused to mention the people he sold the stolen items to; he insists that he just met them on the road,” he said.

    He prayed the court to compel the accused to pay for the goods and punish him accordingly.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AMG/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

     

     

     

  • Katsina gets committee to review books on investment opportunities 

    Books
    By Zubairu Idris
    Katsina, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Katsina  Government has inaugurated a 12-member committee to review three books that highlighted the state’s investment opportunities.
    Gov Dikko Radda, at the inauguration on Thursday in Katsina, said that the committee was mandated to review the three books.
    Radda, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, said the committee would also examine the texts, images and overall presentation of the books.
    He said the other terms of reference included evaluating the books accuracy, quality and relevance to Katsina in history, culture and tradition.
    Others were to identify any error, inaccuracies or misleading information that might be contained in the books.
    The governor further said the committee would provide constructive feedback and recommendations for improvement, and requested for additional information or clarification from the  authors or publishers, if necessary.
    He said the committee has two weeks to submit its reports.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the books are: Katsina Unveiled, Katsina ICONS and Katsina Traditions.
    Responding on behalf of the committee, its  Vice Chairman, Mr Muttaqa Rabe-Darma, thanked the government for finding them worthy of the job.
    He said the books would sell Katsina to the outside world.
    “They will help to attract people to come to the state and invest.
    “As long as people realise that there are things they want in Katsina, they will come,” Rabe-Darma  said.
    He assured that the committee members would work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in them.
    Prof. Sani Abubakar-Lugga would serve as Chairman, Commissioners for Information, Commerce and Trade, would serve as members, among others, while the Director,  Press SSG’s Office, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, would serve as Secretary.
    ZI/CHOM/BRM
    ================
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bashir Rabe Mani