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  • EID-el-Kabir: Tinubu calls for reflection on sacrifice, duty, unity

    Sacrifice

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has urged Muslim faithful to reflect on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, an event that denotes sacrifice, faith, and obedience to the will of the Almighty.

    “The President congratulates the Muslim faithful and prays that Allah accepts their supplications and acts of obedience,” Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    Tinubu enjoined Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the occasion, which bears strong meaning and significance for the nation.

    The President emphasised that sacrifice and duty were essential ingredients to nation-building, “noting that it takes collective purpose, will, and action to bring about great change.”

    He called on citizens to spare a prayer for the nation for continuous peace and stability while working according to purpose in promoting unity, peace, and progress.

    “The President acknowledges the sacrifices that Nigerians have made in the past one year as his administration sets the nation on a firm pedestal of growth and development.

    “President Tinubu affirms that the sacrifices and great expectations of citizens will not come to nought as already propitious outcomes are beginning to manifest with the economy strengthening and vibrancy returning to critical sectors.

    “The President reassures Nigerians that his administration is prioritizing their physical, social, and economic security and will not relent on this noble endeavour,” Ngelale said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

     

     

  • Ohanaeze felicitates Okonjo-Iweala at 70

    Birthday

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has felicitated with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Okonjo-Iweala, as she clocked 70 years on Thursday.

    The congratulatory message is contained in a statement in Enugu on Saturday by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.

    Ogbonnia said that the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Ohanaeze Ndigbo joined other numerous admirers to felicitate with Okonjo-Iweala.

    Iwuanyanwu said “We felicitate one of our best; a cerebral modest woman of substance, a distinctive global icon and a renowned development economist.

    “Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is a quintessential Igbo in character, ingenuity, elegance and integrity.

    “Her trajectory is a veritable testament to the audacity of intellectual prowess, hard work, competence, self-confidence, humility, prudence and service to humanity.

    “Our daughter, Okonjo-Iweala is a source of pride. She has distinguished herself in all the facets she has ever set her foot; at the Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brookings Institution, World Bank and in the Nigerian government, among others”.

    The Igbo leading group said Nigerians would always recall with nostalgia, the various economic reforms that Iweala introduced into the Nigerian financial institutions as a Minister of Finance; under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He said she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club which led to the wiping out about $30 Billion of Nigeria’s Debt, including the outright cancellation of $18 Billion in favour of Nigeria.

    Iwuanyanwu added that she introduced the monthly publication of the federal, state and local government shares of revenue from the country’s federation account.

    “Back home, the keynote address delivered by Okonjo-Iweala at the South East Economic Summit at Owerri, Imo State, on Sept. 28, 2023 still reverberates with profound wisdom, and instructive reflections.

    “On behalf of all the National Executive Committee (NEC), states and local government structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and indeed all the sons and daughters of Igbo land, I wish you many more years in good health and full of more accomplishments.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Sallah: NSCDC deploys 1,408 personnel in Plateau

    Deployment
    By Polycarp Auta
    Jos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,408 personnel ahead of Eid-el-Kabir festive period in the state.
    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ruth Rimvyok, disclosed this in a statement in Jos on Saturday.
    Rimvyok said that the state Corps Commandant, Mr Alexander Barunde, who approved the deployment, charged the personnel to ensure safety of lives and property.
    ”Our commandant has approved the immediate deployment of 1,408 personnel to beef up security in Plateau and its environs before, during and after the sallah season
    ”While briefing officers and men, Barunde ordered a complete beefing up of security across all the flashpoints and praying grounds across the 17 local government areas of the state.
    ”We are committed to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as life and property.”
    The PRO noted that the corps would leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with all miscreants, criminal and vandals who would want to disrupt the relative peace in the state.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AZA/ADA
    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Empowered youths driving force behind emergent global Africa- Afreximbank

    Empowered youths will be driving force behind emergent global Africa- Afreximbank

    Youths
    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Abuja, June 15, 2024(NAN) Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade Bank, Afreximbank, says empowering the youths will be the driving force behind the emergent global Africa.

    Awanu said this at the ongoing 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2024) in Nassau, The Bahamas.

    The meetings are being monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    She said the youths, creatives and innovation were three powerful catalysts of Africa’s successful economic development.

    Awani said a common feature of the demographic structure of the African and Caribbean regions was the dominance of youths who represented 70 per cent of the combined population of the two regions estimated at 1.4 billion.

    She said the youths, when well harnessed and empowered, hold the key to a shared aspiration of economic transformation.

    “Their creativity and innovation can reshape our economies and drive us towards a prosperous future.

    “At this significant juncture in our collective journey, we must recognise that we need an empowered youth, fed with sufficient capital, and given the right tools, education and training.

    “Also, giving them unfettered access to affordable modern technology and capacity for innovation, enabling market access, will constitute the driving force behind the emergent global Africa.

    “This emergent global Africa envisions a unified and prosperous Africa and the Caribbean leveraging our shared resources, talent and innovation for economic growth and development.”

    Awani said it was the duty of policymakers and agents of development to create a conducive environment and install supporting systems for the youths. .

    She said Afreximbank had continued to support African youths through several initiatives like the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa.

    “We renewed our partnership with the Grand Africa initiative as well, aiming to train 300 young entrepreneurs in intra African trade and entrepreneurship.

    “ The bank’s SME development programme as well supports Small and Medium Scale businesses.”

    Awani said Afreximbank, through its Creative African Nexus (CANEX) Programme, was supporting creative and cultural industries, which helped African and Caribbean brands to reach international markets.

    She said yearly, the bank supported the Portugal and Paris fashion shows, which gave the designers in Africa and the Caribbean a platform to expose them to global brands.

    NAN reports that the 31st AAM2024 is being held in Nassau, The Bahamas from June 12 to June 15.

    It has the theme: “Owning our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa’’(NAN)(www.nanews.ng).

    OKE/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • Nigerian airspace fully covered by radar, NAMA insists

     

     

     

     

    Radar

    By Itohan Abara-Laserian (08152358594)

    Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) has insisted that the Nigerian airspace is fully covered by radar.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Managing Director of NAMA, Mr Ahmed Farouk, on Saturday in Lagos.

    Farouk said that the radar stations in Nigeria located in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt are all serviceable.

    He described as false and misleading the claims by a blogger that an unidentified aircraft was spotted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja undetected.

    According to him, radar services for Terminal and Enroute flights are positively identified and provide air navigation services to airspace users.

    “The agency hereby wishes to state that the claim that the Nigerian airspace is not covered by radar is false and misleading.

    “The radar stations in Nigeria (Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt) are serviceable. Radar services for terminal and enroute flights are positively identified and provide air navigation services to airspace users.

    “Yes, it is true that the TRACON system, like any other electronics systems, is undergoing an upgrade of software and modernisation to meet the ever growing demand for efficient, effective and seamless air traffic management services.

    “Furthermore, the welfare of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers in terms of salaries and allowances is not in contention, as to suggest that it is the lowest in the world.”

    Farouk added: “The reported ‘unidentified’ aircraft is a security terminology. In real terms, the aircraft in question is known, but only to the ATC.

    “The violation was in the interest of safety, as a result of adverse weather (serious thunderstorm) on the said date.

    “The purported circular issued by the NCAA is for airlines to be guided from straying into the marked and published prohibited or restricted areas of the Nigerian airspace.

    “It is obvious that the journalist in question does not understand the workings of the surveillance systems, hence his misconstrued and misguided information on Primary and Secondary Radar.

    “The agency shall willfully volunteer information on her services to anyone who requires them at any time,” said Farouk.”

    The NAMA boss assured of the agency’s commitment to ensure sustainable welfare packages for its staff, especially the Air Traffic Controllers.

    According to him, NAMA remains committed to its responsibility to provide safe, effective, economic, and efficient air navigation services in Nigeria.

    He said that the existence of robust, effective civil and military coordination and collaboration guarantees a secured airspace and air navigation.

    “We are pleased to say that the Nigerian airspace is safe and secured,” he noted. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    ITM/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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  • FEMD warns of imminent disaster as residents build on waterways

    Warning

    By Philip Yatai

    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has warned of an imminent flood disaster in Jahi and Gishiri Districts, Abuja, due to building on waterways.

    The acting Director- General (D-G) of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, gave the warning in Abuja on Friday, after a risk assessment exercise in the areas by the department.

    Wenegieme said that the assessment has revealed that residents have built houses on waterways and flood plains, with drainage blocked in Jahi and Gishiri.

    This, according to her, can lead to flooding, which she said was a disaster waiting to happen.

    Wenegieme said,  “Most of the waterways have been obstructed. Residents have built houses on water ways; they have encroached the streams; they have encroached into rivers.

    “As you can see, the natural water course has been blocked, even the green areas have been overtaken by illegal buildings.”

    She explained that the risk assessment exercise was to enable FEMD to develop strategic mitigating measures against flooding and other disasters and effectively respond to emergencies.

    She said that FEMD would write to the Department of Development Control to visit the areas to ensure all developments in the areas were authorised and in conformity with the Abuja Master Plan.

    The acting D-G called on FCT residents to desist from building on waterways and sought the cooperation of the residents in the protection of lives and properties following increased volume of rainfall.

    In a related development, FEMD has trained 50 staff and volunteers on disaster response in line with global best practices.

    Wenegieme said that the simulation training, which began on Thursday, was tagged, “Disaster Response Simulation Exercise.”

    She said that the training focused on water safety, water rescue, building collapse, and fire outbreaks.

    She said that the simulation exercise was organized to enhance the capacity of the staff and volunteers.

    “This simulation exercise and drills are to build our capacity in terms of rescue operations of any kind while paramedics were trained on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation”.

    “The training exercise is aimed at equipping the staff and volunteers of the department with the needed skills and expertise to help them discharge their duties in line with global best practices,” she said.

    She explained that the volunteer local divers were selected from the six area councils of the FCT.

    This, she said, would better equip them with modern and improved methods of rescue operations.

    “We have local divers from the six Area Councils, as such, we need to polish their swimming skills, teach them the modern way of carrying out rescue operations during flooding,” she said.

    Wenegieme thanked the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud for the unflinching support to FEMD.

    The Facilitator, Mr Joe Oduah, Chief Executive Officer, RCL Industrial Safety Centre, said that building the capacity of FEMD staff and volunteers would significantly improve disaster response and save lives and properties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    FDY/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Nigerian pilgrims converge at plain of Arafat for hajj rite

    Arafat

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Mina (Saudi Arabia), June 15, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims on Saturday joined their Muslims counterpart from around the world who observe Arafat Day at Muna, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    They converge at the plain of Arafat to perform the core hajj rite.The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the hill of mercy, is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage.

    It is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who stand shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet, asking Almighty Allah for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health. The mount is about 20 kilometers southeast of Mecca.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that pilgrims marched to Arafat under comprehensive security arrangements coordinated by the officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Saudi authorities.

    The security personnel ensured the smooth flow of both vehicles and pedestrians by securing routes and implementing transportation and dispatching plans.

    The security also provided guidance and ensured the safety of the pilgrims.

    NAN reports that both officials of NAHCON and Saudi authorities provide numerous services in the Arafat area.

    The services include medical, emergency, and food services, catering to the needs of pilgrims who have traveled from all corners of the world to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

    Addressing pilgrims in Hajj rite, Dr Abdallah Gadonkaya, enjoined Nigerian pilgrims to use the opportunity of Arafat to seek divine forgiveness and solutions to their personal challenges.

    The cleric also admonished pilgrims to prayed for the restoration of peace and economic prosperity to some parts of Nigeria that are facing security challenges.

    He emphasised the need for pilgrims to conduct themselves and exhibit good behaviour with a view to projecting the image of Nigeria positively. (NAN)

    SSI/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Sallah: FRSC warns against underage driving in Jigawa

    Driving

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command in Jigawa has advised parents not to allow their underage children to drive vehicles before, during and after Eid-el-Kabir period.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Usman Ibrahim, gave the warning on Saturday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

    Ibrahim said the advice became necessary considering the accidents, destruction of lives and property associated with driving by underage children in the state.

    He said that the Corps would continue to educate the parents and put measures in place to reduce the rate of accidents usually recorded during festive period.

    “We’ve never encouraged underage driving because you must be above 18 years to be licensed to drive. So, If we apprehend anyone below that age, we shall apply the appropriate punishment.

    “I want to advise parents that there are proper ways to license their wards to enable them drive, and they must be 18 years of age, and through the normal processes, that’s driving school and licensing.

    “So, anyone who drives without the appropriate age and valid license will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

    The sector commander assured the public that the command would ensure strict compliance with all traffic laws, adding that defaulters would be penalised.

    According to him, the command has taken all necessary measures to ensure an accident-free before, during and after sallah in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Sallah: Bauchi CP tasks personnel on professionalism 

    Personnel 

    By Ahmed Kaigama 

    Bauchi, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Mr Auwal  Musa, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State has urged personnel to display high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties during the Eid el-Adha celebration.

    Musa said this in a statement by the spokesman of the Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, on Friday in Bauchi.

    He charged the personnel to be courteous and assertive in carrying out their professional duties in the state, adding that the Command was collaborating with other security agencies to protect lives and properties during the festivities. 

    The Command, he said, deployed conventional and tactical teams as well as logistics to prayer grounds, event centres and other public places to facilitate peaceful celebrations in the state.

    “Strategic officers will reinforce visibility policing structure and conduct confidence-building patrols, particularly around residential areas, major highways, government and private infrastructure, to prevent and address any potential disruptions,” Musa was quoted as saying in the statement. 

    While emphasising the significance of maintaining peace, Musa warned that the command would not condone acts capable of disrupting relative peace in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MAK/RSA

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    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • FRSC strengthens synergy with Defence Headquarters for greater performance

    The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa during the courtesy visit

     

    Collaboration
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed, says the Corps has strengthened inter-agency collaboration with the Defence Headquarters for greater performance.

    A statement in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said Mohammed stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in Abuja on Friday.

    The corps marshal said that the visit was to consolidate the existing relationship between the Corps and the nation’s Defence Arm and seek areas of fruitful partnership.

    He described the visit as giant step towards achieving considerable mileage in inter-agency collaborations

    He commended the defence chief for his leadership qualities and the successes achieved in the area of national security.

    He appealed for collaboration in the area of human capital development, which he said, would help advance the course safety on the nation’s highways.

    He informed the CDS of the role of the Corps in improving national security through intelligence gathering.

    He said: “FRSC is a custodian of critical national infrastructure.

    “The National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIs), a database has helped in the fight against insecurity in the country.

    Responding, the CDS congratulated the corps marshal on his appointment, emphasising the critical role the Corps played in advancing national security.

    Musa assured the corps marshal of the defence headquarters’ readiness to assist the Corps in the area of personnel training as well as other veritable areas of interest.

    He highlighted the critical role the Corps played in the fight against insecurity being the security agency that has greater level of interface with the general public.

    He applauded the FRSC for the energy, resilience and steadfastness of its personnel, who against all odds with a view to make the highways safe.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/OJI/ADA

    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Deji Abdulwahab