WordPress

Blog

  • Tinubu condoles with Emeka Anyaoku over passing of brother in-law

    Tinubu condoles with Emeka Anyaoku over passing of brotheri n-law

    Condolence

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has condoled with Chief Emeka Anyaoku,  a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, over  the passing of his brother-in-law, Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu.

    The News Agency of (NAN) reports that the late Kasunmu was brother of Chief  Olubunmi Anyaoku, the wife of the former Commonwealth secretary-general.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Saturday, said the president also extolled Kasunmu’s virtues.

     

    He described Kasunmu as a remarkable individual who made significant contributions to his family, community and the society.

    “President Tinubu fondly recalls that the deceased’s late mother, Chief (Mrs) Elfreda Williams Kasunmu (a.k.a. Mama Loke), a successful career woman, was an intimate friend of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Ashabi Mogaji,” the statement said.

    The president also condoled with the Kasunmu and Williams  families.

    “The President also commiserates with the widow of Chief Kasunmu, Mrs Kemi Kasunmu, and the entire family, and assures them of his support in this time of mourning.

    “The president prays for the repose of the soul of the departed,” the statement said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/IGO

    ======

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

  • Nwirufu cautions Ebonyi residents against flood-inducing activities

    Nwirufi cautions Ebonyi residents against flood-inducing activities
    Flood
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi on Friday in Abakaliki urged residents of flood-prone areas of the state to avoid activities that expose them to floods.
    He said through his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, that such activities included building on water ways, blocking of drainages and indiscriminate felling of trees.
    Nwifuru spoke during the commencement of flood early warning, downscaling strategies in Ebonyi to mitigate the adverse effects of the menace in 2024 by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
    “The welfare of the citizens is paramount in our people’s charter of needs mantra and efforts will be intensified to check the loss of livelihood and properties of occasioned by flood.
    “The state government will provide funds and other logistics needed to effectively downscale this flood early warning strategies to the grassroots,” he said.
    He commended NEMA for the taking actions to mitigate the effect of flooding in the state and pledged that his administration would cooperate with the agency to achieve desired goals.
    The Executive Secretary of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said during the event that the agency would pay special attention to rural areas during the sensitisation.
    “For the 2024 rainy season, some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state are predicted to be affected by flood.
    “The affected councils are under high and moderate flood risk areas and are already listed in NEMA’s earlier communication to the state government.
    “This underscores the importance of this flag-off and I seek stakeholders’ support in downscaling early warning and risk mitigation messages to the grassroots,” said Umar through Dr Ejike Martins, the agency’s Director of Human Resource Management.
    She noted that the devastating impact of flood across the country especially in 2012 and 2022 tasks all tiers of government to collaborate with NEMA in managing disaster risks and associated hazards.
    “Lives have been lost, means of livelihood and infrastructure worth billions of naira have been destroyed,” she said.
    Umar noted that NEMA banks on the rainfall and flood advisories in the Seasonal Climate Predictory and Annual Flood Outlook of Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency.
    “They have provided valuable early warning alerts and we are all expected to take steps that would drastically reduce the adverse impact of flood on the entire landscape.
    “This impact is especially on the most vulnerable persons living in communities at the risk of flood,” she said.
    Mr Clement Ovuoba, the Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EB-SEMA), said the agency would increase its efforts in mitigating predicted flooding and raising flood awareness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/KUA
    ========
    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Why coups persist in Africa- UNDP

    Why coups persist in Africa- UNDP

    Coups

    By Muhammad Tijjani

    Kaduna, June. 15, 2024(NAN)The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified lack of core value and over-ambition of young military officers who do not want to wait for their turn as the major causes of coups d’état in Africa.

    The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Matthew Alao, said this in an interview with newsmen after the graduation ceremony of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course  at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

    Alao said that though the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, but over-ambition by young military officers, eroding core societal values, religious beliefs, and lack of education are the key reasons for more coups in West African countries and Africa at large.

    Alao who noted that the fundamental problem the world is facing today is the lack of core values, said this resulted to persistent coups and counter-coups staged in Africa by military officers.

    “Our core values are fast breaking down. You will see agitation and expectation on so many issues that may not be reality.

    “Most people don’t go to school. Some do go to school but do not have employable skills. This contributes to what is happening.

    “And, because the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, they also feel part of that agitation. When that cry is going on, it speculates and overshadows the event. I think that is one of the reasons for coups.

    “Then, may be over-ambition by the young officers, they don’t want to wait for their turn. The idea of young people wanting to be there is another cause of coups.

    “Young people need to learn, because if young people don’t learn, we will continue to somersault. After all, this country was ruled by 27-year-old officer at a time.

    At a point they delivered, but they didn’t deliver well. If the military of those days had the necessary experience and requisite vision, when Nigeria was still in the morning, they would have planned our future and laid the foundation and we wouldn’t be where we are today.

    “We wouldn’t be clamoring for roads, infrastructure, and all that.

    Suppose the people that found this country, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were able to do something up to the late 80s, Nigeria would have been better than this. The situation we are now is dangerous.

    “In those days, Ibadan was flourishing, Kaduna was a hub, Lagos was a factory ground, but within a blink of an eye under the Structural Adjustment Program, everything collapsed.”

    He expressed concern that this leadership deficit was taking a toll on the country and should be addressed right from the family unit to the community level.

    Alao described Nigeria today as very individualistic, saying, “We have lost it. Now it’s all about I and my family. And this is leading us nowhere. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.”

    ”Leadership starts with us as parent that brings little children to this world. Leadership starts from grassroots.

    ”Unfortunately, we have lost it. Nigeria today is very individualistic. It’s all about I and my family. And this is leading us to nowhere. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.

    ”If nothing is done to address the leadership deficit from the family unit, from the community unit and community level, we are not going anywhere. Money cannot save our society.”

    “As an individual, how much do we need, how much can we use to take care of ourselves in a day? And how much are we earning?

    “And how much of resources committed to us are we diverting that is causing the crises today? That communal relationship and values been thought to us while growing up has left us and that is why we are stuck today.

    “Everybody is looking for downfall of our leadership. We don’t build up by looking for downfall of our leaders,” he said.

    He said the leadership course, which happened to be the brainchild of the past Commandant of the Peacekeeping Centre, Major General Obinna Onubogu was born due to the spate of coups happening in West Africa.

    “They felt that providing leadership training to the middle-level military and civilians is an antidote to it.

    ”They felt that because that quality training, that orientation on subordination is weakening in the military and political space of West Africa.

    “They felt that UNDP, with the funding made available by the government of Japan, is sponsoring it,” Alao added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

    TJ/EBI/IAA

    =========

    Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola

  • Sallah: Lagos assures motorists of efficient traffic management

    Mr Sola Giwa

     

    Traffic
    By Chiazo Ogbolu
    Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has assured motorists of comprehensive traffic management across the state as they comply with traffic rules during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
    Mr Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, gave the assurance in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.
    The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.
    Giwa said the appeal on compliance became necessary due to the anticipated surge in social activities and vehicular traffic during the festive season, along with the ongoing construction projects throughout the State.
    According to Giwa, LASTMA has pledged to deploy additional personnel and resources to ensure smooth traffic operations before, during, and after the Sallah celebration.
    He noted that all operational heads, including the newly restructured agency’s District Comptrollers, Commanders and Zonal Heads would be actively on duty to ensure efficient traffic management throughout the festive period.
    Giwa added that the agency’s Provost, Monitoring, and Surveillance Units would closely oversee operations, ensuring that all LASTMA officers on duty exhibit civility and the highest level of professionalism.
    “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Lagosians on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir and assure all road users, particularly motorists, that LASTMA personnel will be stationed at strategic locations to effectively monitor vehicular movements across the state.
    “I assure that the structural arrangements and deployments established for seamless traffic flow during the celebrations will be upheld by the agency.
    “All motorists must adhere to traffic regulations, drive within speed limits, avoid reckless driving and perform regular maintenance on their vehicles to prevent accidents,” he said.
    He warned that any traffic violation or disobedience to traffic managers’ directives would result in serious sanctions as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, as amended. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CAN/JNC
    ===========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Sallah: Abbas congratulates Muslims, urges more sacrifice by Nigerians

    Sallah: Abbas congratulates Muslims, urges more sacrifice by Nigerians

    Sacrifice

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 15, 2024(NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated Muslims as they mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    Mr Musa Krishi, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity quoted the Speaker as saying this in a statement to commemorate the Muslim festival.

    Abbas said the celebration was about total submission to higher authority, sacrifice, and charity.

    He urged Nigerians to imbibe these virtues in their daily lives.

    The Speaker said the celebration was significant to Muslims, as it reminds the people of the supremacy of Allah and the importance of sacrifice.

    He urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use this period for sober reflection and be their brothers keeper at all times.

    Abbas also called on Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders, while urging them to be supportive and cooperative for a better Nigeria.

    The Speaker, who wished Muslims happy celebrations, prayed to Allah to accept their sacrifices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/KUA

    ========

    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Eid-el-Kabir: I-G orders human, operational assets deployment

    Eid-el-Kabir: I-G orders human, operational assets deployment
    Deployment
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of human and operational assets  to ensure responsive policing ahead of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
    The Force Public Relations Officer,  ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
    He said the I-G had directed Commissioners of Police nationwide and theiir supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), to strategically configure the security architecture in their Areas of Responsibility (AoR).
    Adejobi said the directive was to ensure confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship among others.
    He said the operations would  be conducted professionally, without harassment or extortion, but respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.
    According to him, personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum and alertness.
    He said the I-G had extended his felicitation  to all Muslim Umma as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir and prayed for peace, joy and prosperity for.all.
    Adejobi pledged the committment of the I-G to ensure a safe and secured environment for the celebration.
    He said the Force would harness all available assets, including collaborating with relevant groups, associations, sectors and synergizing with other security agencies to enhance service delivery and stabilize general security within the nation.
    He urged the public to adhere to all security advisories and traffic regulations during the celebrations to avoid any incidents that could mar the festive mood.
    Adejobi urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact police emergency lines on 08031230631, 09133333785, 09133333786, via mail at pressforabuja@police.gov.ng,.
    He said the force could also be reached via  its  social media on X @PoliceNG, FB @ngpolice, and IG @nigeriapoliceforce.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IMC/JPE
    =======
    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Police urge Lagos residents to be security conscious

    Security

    By Deborah Akpede

    Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Lagos State has advised residents to be vigilant and security conscious during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Police Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, gave the advice in a post he shared on his verified X handle @benHundeyin on Saturday.

    He urged the public to remain vigilant by supporting all the security measures put in place to protect lives and property.

    “Be security conscious, vigilant and report any suspicious incident or happening to the nearest police station or call the Command’s control room on 0806 515 4338 and 0806 329 9264,” he said.

    The image maker said that the command assured of residents of adequate security during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    “The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, had deployed adequate number of personnel to vulnerable points across the state to forestall any breakdown of security.

    “The deployed officers have been charged to remain professional, courteous but firm in the discharge of their duties,” Hundeyin said.

    The spokesperson said that the command felicitated residents, visitors, and the good people of the state, especially the Muslim faithful. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DOA/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • LASU chief imam blames hardship  on cumulative political misadventures

    LASU chief imam blames hardship  on cumulative political misadventures

     

    Hardship

    By Uchenna Eletuo

    Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN)  Prof. Amidu Sanni,  the Chief Imam of Lagos State University (LASU), on Saturday appealed to the organised labour and the Federal Government to tidy up all issues concerning a new minimum wage.

    In his Eid-el-Kabir message in Lagos, Sanni said that timely completion of the entire process would be in the interest of the country.

    “The harsh economic conditions which we are all passing through today is the outcome of cumulative political misadventures over the years, lack of an enduring commitment to public good, and the shortage of trust between leaders and the led.

    “The situation in Nigeria today calls for a new approach to governance and consistency in the deployment of public resources for the good of the largest majority.

    “The crisis in the Middle East which is reflected in the Israeli-Palestinian war, the Russian-Ukraine war of attrition, the unending insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and the pervasive insecurity of life and property in Nigeria should elicit the concern and empathy of all.

    “The persistent advocacy for prosperity by religious leaders has promoted corruption in all aspects of life at the expense of morality, and other worldiness and the edification of criminality and perverse behaviours with impunity has made nonsense of our age-long respect for high moral values, innovation and dignity,” he said.

     

    He said that while a living wage is legitimate and desirable, labour leaders should  be reasonable in their demands and think of non-monetary measures which could also benefit ordinary Nigerians, the majority of whom are outside the formal labour sector.

    The cleric congratulated all Muslims on the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration to take place on Sunday.

    “Sacrifice of personal wishes for higher ideals and demonstration of love and affection to all are what the feast entails.

    “We pray that the Almighty Allah  will enable all our brethren who are away on Hajj to the holy land to perform all the rites of the exercise and return safely to their homes.

    “We also pray for the governments at all levels that Allah grants them the grace of making life more meaningful,” he said.

    Sanni also prayed that the Almighty would guide  the authorities of LASU toward  achievement of set goals. (NAN)

    EUC/IGO

    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Sallah: Stop loading humans on top of goods, FRSC boss warns truck drivers

    Vehicle impounded by the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (NAN) Malam Shehu Mohammed at Zuba, Abuja on Saturday

    Sallah: Stop loading humans on top of goods, FRSC boss warns truck drivers

    Overloading
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 15, 2024(NAN) The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed has again warned truck and trailer drivers to desist from loading humans on top of goods especially during this Eid-El-Kabir celebration across the country.

    Mohammed who said this during Corps traffic monitoring of the Sallah travels on Saturday in Abuja added that the act posed a danger to such humans and other road users.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Corps Marshal had impounded a vehicle loaded with goods and human beings on top at Zuba, Abuja.

    NAN reports that the FRSC boss directed that all of the passengers seated on top of the goods should be dropped from the vehicle and   the vehicle was impounded.

    The FRSC boss observed that inspite of warnings and enforcement from the Corps to drivers and motorists, violations of traffic rules persists  in the country.

    Mohammed said that respect for traffic rules and regulations would ensure safer highways and free flow of traffic, adding that the nationwide special operation was to check the excesses of motorists.

    He said that the corps had deployed necessary logistics to increase visibility and monitoring of the environment adding that all zebra points and road side clinics were equally opened 24/7 across the country.

    He added that the FRSC had deployed over 41,000 personnel comprising the regular marshal and special marshals saying that over 700 patrol vehicles, ambulances and tow trucks were also deployed.

    The FRSC Corps Marshal addressing the public on dangers of overloading and speeding especially during this Eid-El-Kabir

    He said “I am here with my very senior officers to support our men on patrol so that we can see, we can hear, we can feel what they used to feel while on patrol.

    According to him, this will enable us access, evaluate and see how we can find solutions to their operational challenges.

    “We observed that especially in Zuba, Abuja, there is still overloading issue. We saw that drivers are still carrying two passengers in the front seat and four at the back seat.

    “We also saw some drivers are overloading their vehicles with humans and goods and we kick against this.

    “We are going to engage all their leaders and ensure this is totally address and curb to the barest minimum.

    “This ugly trend is not good for the image of the Federal Territory (FCT, the country as a whole and it is not good for the image of the FRSC as well.”he said.

    Mohammed however, called on the motoring public, especially the drivers to continue to obey traffic rules and regulations.

    He also appealed to the commuters, the passengers to talk to the drivers to avoid traffic offenses, especially the critical ones like overloading, overspeeding, dangerous driving.

    The marshal assured the motoring public and all Nigerians of the collective resolved and commitment of the corps to continue to create a safe motoring environment for all.

    He enjoined Nigerians to drive alive to stay alive adding that only the living celebrate live to celebrate.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/SH

    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • UNICEF engages NYSC on digital learning in Adamawa

    Learning

    By Talatu Maiwada

    Yola, June 15, 2015 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has engaged 500 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to promote digital learning in schools across 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Adamawa.

    Its Education Specialist, Mr Abdurahman Ibrahim, said this on Saturday while speaking with newsmen at a two-day training of 500 corps members on the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP) in Yola.

    Ibrahim said the NLP, which is a digital learning platform, was created to promote and strengthen digital learning for children in schools and those out of school.

    “The NLP is a platform with over 15,000 learning content and the idea is to ensure every child is enrolled on the platform, register courses and complete all the courses.

    “We had a bitter experience during COVID-19, where all activities were shut down, including the education of the children, hence we came up with the idea of an alternative learning programme,” he said.

    He said the engagement with the 500 corps members serving as teachers in schools across the state was to complement and address the limited number of teachers available on the NLP platform.

    ” We are engaging corps members especially those serving in schools, to leverage on their one year service experience to boost learning activities among the children.

    ” Each corps member will be introduced to the NLP, so that when they return to their respective schools they can register more learners on the platform, register their courses and ensure they learn.

    ” This engagement will certainly increase the number of teachers, improve the learning ability and learning outcome of children in the state,” he said.

    The education specialist added that the NLP comprises of various components which captures the educational needs of children in school.

    He said the non-formal education component includes the integrated Quranic education, saying the NLP was applicable and targeted at all children both at the primary and secondary school levels.

    “Presently, we have started the programme in some schools and we distributed tablets, routers for internet access as well as projectors to amplify the NLP platform in their various classes.

    “We understand the power of children having tablets, therefore, we encourage parents to engage the children on the learning platform and minimise their indulgence in playing games daily.

    Speaking on distribution of tablets and access to internet facilities across all schools in rural communities, Ibrahim said various partners are available to support the programme.

    “We will like to state that there are other partners supporting the NLP here in Adamawa, providing all the necessary items like the tablets, routers and projectors to schools inorder to bridge the educational gap in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    TIM/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab