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  • German minister rules out sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine

    German minister rules out sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine
    Missiles
    Brussels, June 13, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday that his country would not provide Ukraine with any more Patriot air defence systems than the three it had supplied already.
    “There is no space for providing even more than those three systems,’’ Pistorius told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of NATO defence ministers.
    He said the three systems make up a quarter of Germany’s stock.
    “Now, it’s on other partners to provide systems,’’ Pistorius said.
    Pistorius and his NATO counterparts are meeting on Thursday and Friday to discuss support for Ukraine in the war against Russia, including air defence.
    Also high on the agenda are a NATO-coordinated training and support mission for Ukraine, and long-term financial commitments.
    In a news conference ahead of the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged allies to approve a plan for NATO to lead the coordination of security assistance and training to Ukraine.
    The project is a major part of a defence package for Ukraine that the 32-member alliance wants to approve at a NATO leaders’ summit in Washington in July.
    The aim was to transfer responsibility for coordinating military aid for Ukraine from an informal, U.S.-led arrangement called the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) to the formal structures of NATO.
    NATO ministers are meeting as the UDCG first on Thursday and as NATO proper in the NATO-Ukraine Council later in the day and on Friday.
    There are also talks ongoing between allies to seal a commitment to long-term financial support for Ukraine.
    Stoltenberg said in Prague last month that allies should commit to maintaining their current level of support, which he puts at 40 billion euros (43 billion dollars) per year.
    Arriving at NATO headquarters on Thursday, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that his country would supply Ukraine with rockets, small arms ammunition and remote-controlled weapon mounts for vehicles.
    Though it has no Patriots to give, he said.
    “Canada will provide Ukraine with 2,300 Canadian Rocket Vehicle 7s or CRV rocket motors.
    “Canada will send an additional number of rounds of small arms ammunition, as well as 29 Nanuk remote systems,’’ Blair said which are remote-controlled weapon mounts for military vehicles.

    “This week, Canada is beginning the shipments of a new fleet of 50 armoured vehicles to Ukraine,” he added.
    The first four vehicles are departing Canada this week, and they will be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in the coming weeks.’’ (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    COO/YEE
    =======
    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • European Commission’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs will boomerang – Official

    European Commission’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs will boomerang – Official

    Investigation

    Beijing, June 13, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday the anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) initiated by the European Commission will only boomerang.

    The spokesperson urged the EU to stop politicising economic and trade issues.

    Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks in response to opposing voices from Germany, Hungary, and major European automobile companies after the European Commission announced on Wednesday.

    In his announcement, Lin said an increase of provisional duties was levied on EV imports from China by up to 38.1 per cent starting July 4.

    Lin pointed out that regarding the preliminary findings released by the European Commission about the anti-subsidy investigation, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce has stated China’s solemn position.

    Chinese industry and business associations also expressed their firm opposition.

    Lin emphasised that the investigation is a typical protectionist move, ignoring objective facts and disregarding WTO rules in reverse of the historical trend.

    This will only harm others and boomerang on oneself.

    “We urge the EU side to listen carefully to all sectors’ objective and rational voices, immediately correct its wrong practices, and stop politicising economic and trade issues.

    “To also properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and avoid undermining mutual trust and dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU,’’ said Lin. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/YEE
    ========

    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Priest gets life imprisonment for raping minor

    Priest gets life imprisonment for raping minor

    Rape
    Opeyemi Gbemiro
    Ado- Ekiti, June 13, 2024 (NAN) An Ado- Ekiti High Court on Thursday sentenced a pastor with Winners Chapel Church, Omuo- Ekiti, Mr Enoch Gbinyiam, for raping a minor in his church.

    Gbinyiam had a one-count charge levelled against him.

    The State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Julius Ajiba, told the court that the defendant raped the daughter of a member of the church during her visit to the vicarage.

    Ajiba described the victim as a regular visitor to the mission house.

    According to him, the victim usually visited the vicarage to assist the pastor’s wife with house chores, teach and help his young children in their school assignments.

    “It was during one of her visits to the mission house that the defendant sedated a bottle of fanta and offered her to drink.

    “The minor took the fanta and slept off only to wake up and found out that she was bleeding profusely from her vagina.

    He said that the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged to Court.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 2 of the Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019.

    The DPP called four witnesses and tendered two Exhibits to prove his case.

    The defendant, who spoke through his counsel, Mr Adeyinka Opaleke, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

    He called one witness and tendered an evidence in defence of himself.

    The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice O.I.O Ogunyemi, ruled that the prosecution proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Ogunyemi, therefore, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment in a Correctional Centre. (NAN)(www nannews.ng).

    OPA/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • FCT students applaud NAWOJ, others for free sanitary pads

    Menstrual Hygiene Advocacy for teenage girls, held at Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1, organised by NAWOJ on Thursday in Abuja.

    FCT students applaud NAWOJ, others for free sanitary pads

     

    Pads

    By Justina Auta

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Some students in FCT have expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) for distribution of free sanitary pads to reduce procurement cost and increase access during their menstruation.

    The students during the menstrual hygiene advocacy for teenage girls, held at Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1 on Thursday in Abuja, said the gesture would alleviate the challenges they usually face during their menstrual period.

    Khadijat Mohammed, a JSS 2 student, explained that she often used old worn out wrappers due to the high cost of sanitary pads.

    “My elder sister usually buys sanitary pad for me, but due to the increasing cost of sanitary pads, we have been forced to use our old worn out wrappers during menstruation, “she said.

    Also, Somadima Emmanuel, JSS 1 student, said the high cost of sanitary pads, forced her to use tissue paper during her menstruation, which exposed her to infection.

    According to her, the free sanitary pads have eliminated the cost of procuring one and reduced risk of infections.

    Joseph Nwosu, a junior student, said he had been empowered with more knowledge on GBV, menstrual hygiene management and negative vices that might hinder his development.

    He, therefore, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to make available sanitary pads for female students to reduce cost of procuring it and increase their concentration in school during their menstrual period.

    Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, FCT Chairperson, NAWOJ, said the initiative was to ensure accessibility of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls, educate students on menstrual hygiene management and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

    Ita-Ikpang, who noted the high cost of sanitary products, especially for underprivileged girls, stressed the need for the government and other stakeholders to ensure girls are able to afford and access menstrual pads.

    According to her, the theme, “If condom is Free, let’s make menstrual pads free too” resonates from the need to promote access to sanitary pad.

    “We want to ensure that those who truly need it are captured. Menstrual period is a natural thing that cannot be controlled, while condom is for pleasure.

    “Free distribution of pads should be a priority, if condoms are freely available in public facilities then, menstrual pads should also be available for easy access,” she said.

    On the issue of GBV, the NAWOJ Chairperson emphasised the critical role boys play in ending the menace and other harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.

    “When you are talking about gender, you cannot be successful when you have not brought in the boys.

    “The boys should also know the things that are right and that will help them know what they shouldn’t do to the girls,” she said.

    Also, Rabiatu Abdullahi, Vice Principal, JSS, Jabi 1, commended the association, adding that the initiative would alleviate the hardship some of the students face in accessing menstrual pads.

    Similarly, Naomi Okomudo, President, Abuja Royal Women Empowerment Initiative, while speaking on GBV, encouraged the students to be vigilant, seek help where necessary and always speak out to ensure perpetrators were prosecuted to avoid reoccurrence.

    Also, Francisca Ogar, who spoke on menstrual hygiene, advised the students to be deliberate about their hygiene and keep track of their menstrual period to enable them prepare ahead with materials needed during their menstrual cycle.

    Other highlights of the events were the distribution of writing materials to some of the students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng0

    JAD/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • 2025 AFCON qualifying draw set for July in Johannesburg

     

    2025 AFCON qualifying draw set for July in Johannesburg

    Draw

    By Muhyideen Jimoh

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN)  The qualifying draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 4, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    The 48 competing teams will be split into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the finals in Morocco.

    The tournament hosts will be included in the draw but, given the Atlas Lions are already assured of qualification; only one team in their group will book a ticket to Morocco.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that date for the 2025 AFCON have not been announced by CAF.

    The qualifiers for the tournament will take place in September, October and November, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria set to slug it with other foes in the qualifying series.

    Liberia, Chad, South Sudan and Eswatini all progressed through a preliminary round to join the continent’s 44 highest-ranked nations in the group draw. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MUYI/JPE

    ======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • KDSG trains 450 foresters on GIS technology

    KDSG trains 450 foresters on GIS technology

    Training

    By Ezra Musa

    Kaduna, June. 13, 2024 (NAN) The Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources has commenced the training of 450 foresters on Geographical Information Services (GIS) to safeguard the state’s forests.

    Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment, made this known on Thursday at the opening of a three-day capacity building training for forest personnel in Kaduna.

    He said the training was necessary to enhance the capacity of its personnel on modern technology in forestry utilisation, conservation and management.

    Represented by Asma’u Adamu, Deputy Director, Forestry, Buba said GIS would provide support for  acquiring accurate and up-to- date  information for an effective decision-making process.

    He said that 450 forestry staffers and forest rangers were the beneficiaries of the training.

    “Today, the trend is to manage forest reserves holistically through the use of the Geographical Information System (GIS).

    ”So, we are training our personnel to monitor changes in the environment and  correct any anomalies in the ecosystem,” he said.

    In his remarks, Ephraim Kyari, Chief Executive, Growth Solutions Providers (GSP), said forest rangers were saddled with the responsibility of protecting the state’s forests, hence the need to equip them with modern technology.

    He said the training was aimed at exploring the development and predictable future of forest information systems for sustainable forest management.

    Kyari said, ” In the past, conventional forest inventories equipment, maps on papers were used and this led to poor recording and retrieval of information.

    ”Presently, improved measurement equipment and technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and other database management systems have made the job easier.”

    Also speaking, the facilitator, Maikano Samson, a Lecturer at the College of Forestry, said  GIS had provided an effective tool for monitoring changes in the environment.

    He said, ” The objective of this short-term training is to make the participants familiar with the technology and application of remote sensing and GIS in forest management.

    Samson said that good knowledge of remote sensing and GIS would be of great help for the trainees to tackle issues of encroachment in forest reserves. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    EMZ/BRM

    ===========

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Flamingos:  Olowookere optimistic of victory against Liberia  in Abuja

    Flamingos:  Olowookere optimistic of victory against Liberia  in Abuja

    Flamingos

    By Georgina Adegbie

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The head coach of the Under 17 national female Football team, Flamingos , Bankole Olowookere, says his team is certain of victory against  Liberia in Abuja.

    The Flamingos defeated Liberia 4-1 in the first leg of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification series on Sunday in  Monrovia, Liberia

    Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the target of the team is to secure a ticket and represent the country in the Dominican Republic.

    “We participated in the last edition of the Under 17 world cup in India and we will participate in this year`s championship and surpass our previous position.

    “This is possible with the help of God and that is our prayers,” the coach said.

    Olowookere urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs to come en masse to support the girls.

    ” I was impressed with the crowd at our last match against Burkina Faso at the stadium, we want spectators to come and support these young female players.

    “The girls are determined to win this last match of the qualifying series, they have done it before and they will do it again.

    “The team is ready for the final encounter, the defenders, the strickers, midfielders, attackers and the entire technical crew are set for the game,” he said.

    NAN reports that Flamingos will meet Liberia in the second leg match on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium 4 pm Nigeria time.

    This year’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in the cities of Santiago de los Caballeros, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov 3.(NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

    BOG/JPE

    =======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Albinism Day: NGO seeks support to sustain subsided surgeries 

     

    Support

    By Usman Aliyu

    Benin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Initiative for Advancement of the Albinism Cause (INAAC), has called for support to sustain its skin cancer surgery programme for persons with albinism.

     

    Miss Joy Odigie, Founder, INAAC, made the call on Thursday in Benin at the annual 2024 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD).

     

    Odigie said that persons with albinism were prone to skin cancers due to the lack or minimal amount of melanin in their skin.

     

    “Melanin pigmentation gives the skin its dark colouration as well as provides natural protection for the skin against the harmful effects of the sun rays.

     

    “When persons with albinism have prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays of the sun, they can develop skin tumors, freckles, and skin cancers,” she said.

     

    According to her, the increasing burden of skin cancers among persons with albinism in Nigeria prompted the NGO to start a subsidised skin cancer surgery programme.

     

    “Climate change has led to rising temperatures and heat waves, negatively affecting the skin of people with albinism in Nigeria.

     

    “We are now recording increasing cases of skin tumors and cancers, especially among rural dwellers and poor persons with albinism who lack access to sunscreen lotions, skin checks, and services,” Odigie said.

     

    She said that since the programme’s inception two years ago, about four individuals had benefited, with four more waiting in line.

     

    “We partner with a hospital in Benin to run the subsidised skin tumors and cancers surgeries.

     

    “The hospital offers a 20 per cent  to 30 per cent discount to patients, while the NGO covers an additional 30 per cent  to 40 per cent of the remaining medical bills,” she said.

     

    She, however, said that the NGO was struggling to sustain the programme due to insufficient funding and high cost of medical treatment.

     

    “For instance, a type of surgery that used to cost about N120,000 now goes for about N250,000 due to high cost of medical services and consumables.

     

    “Also, some of the patients find it difficult to pay the subsided amount while those who live outside Benin City find it difficult to pay transportation fees to access treatment at the hospital.

     

    “We are calling on well meaning Nigerians, government and NGO’s to support these subsided surgeries and if possible make it a free surgery programme,”she said.

     

    She noted that the theme for the 2024 IAAD, “10 Years of Collective Progress,” highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the wellbeing of individuals with albinism. (NAN) (wwwn.annews.ng)

    AUO/AYO/IU

    ============

    Edited by Ayodeji Alabi / Isaac Ukpoju

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Police ban Durbar activities in Kano

    Police

    By Aminu Garko

    Kano, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Kano State has banned Durbar activities during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in the state.

    A statement issued on Thursday by Mr Usaini Gumel, the state Commissioner of Police stated that the ban became necessary to the sustain the peace by the Police Command in conjunction with all the relevant security stakeholders.

    “In furtherance, a ban on all contending parties has been placed restraining both from conducting Durbar activities for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations,” Gumel said.

    He, however, advised worshippers to conduct their normal Eid Prayers at the various designated praying grounds, as was traditionally done in the past.

    “In this trying period, the Police will enforce the existing Court Order and prevail on the two contending parties regarding the Kano Emirateship Tussle and urge them to remain apart and respect the court order,” he said.

    The commissioner said the command would want to see continued collaboration and cooperation from all stakeholders to collectively work together to build a safer and more secure environment.

    He urged the general public to keep reporting any suspicious movement of persons or items to the nearest police station. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

    AAG/EMAF
    ========
    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • Military destroys 43 illegal refining sites, apprehends 32 oil thieves

    Military destroys 43 illegal refining sites, apprehends 32 oil thieves

    Oil

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Defence Headquarters said troops of Operation Delta Safe have in the last one week, discovered and destroyed 43 illegal refining sites and apprehended 32 suspected oil thieves.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

    Buba said that the feat was achieved in the Niger Delta region of the country.

    He explained that troops had maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theives and recovered large quantities of stolen products.

    He also said the troops recovered 728,360 litres of stolen crude oil, 143,450 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,100 litres of DPK and 18,750 litres of PMS.

    He added that the troops also discovered and destroyed 29 dugout pits, 22 boats and 26 storage tanks, among others.

    According to him, troops apprehended 32 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists and recovered 13 weapons and 442 assorted ammunitions.

    “Other items recovered include 66 cooking ovens, eight vehicles and 43 illegal refining sites among others.”

    Buba said the troops also conducted raid operations and apprehended violent extremists/cultists in Uruan and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom and Edo as well as Onelga and Nembe Local Government Areas of Rivers and Bayelsa. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/DCO/AMM

    ============

    Edited by Deborah Coker and Abiemwense Moru