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  • Land Dispute: We didn’t abduct Ebonyi man, says NSCDC

    Land Dispute: We didn’t abduct Ebonyi man, says NSCDC

    Dispute

    By Uchenna Ugwu

    Abakaliki, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi Command has denied the news making the rounds that its operative abducted a native of Amaedim Ngwogwo community in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some national dailies had reported that the NSCDC operatives abducted Mr Innocent Orji, following a land dispute in the community.

    However, Mr Elijah Willie, State Commandant of the Corps, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday that the command only effected the arrest of Orji.

    Willie explained that the operatives arrested him following a petition written against him by Mr Innocent Igwe alleging threat to life.

    He also said that Orji was alleged to be involved in championing intra and inter communal crisis, trespassing, vandalism and other conducts likely to cause breach of public peace.

    He said that he received the petition against the said Orji and his cohorts from Odiegwu Ibekwe Chambers, demanding to bring the culprits to justice.

    “This is a land dispute and disagreement between Mr Innocent Igwe, the complainant and Orji, the suspect. It started on how to share the land between them but Orji faulted the terms of resolution.

    “Yes, it was on these bases that the suspect was arrested because he refused to follow government’s directive on the resolution of the land matters.

    “A resolution was reached by the committee but the suspect was obstructing the peace process, which led to his arrest.

    “I wonder how an organisation like NSCDC, empowered by law to arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute, will abduct someone”, he said.

    The commandant said that he would not fold his arms and watch the community go into turmoil.

    “The arrest was done for justice to stand and the publication was a distraction for me not to carry out my official duty.

    “The suspect, Innocent Oji also known as Ogbonna was arrested and detained.

    “On this note, I want to inform the public, who read from the false publication, that we did not abduct Orji but only arrested him,” Willie added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UVU/DCO/KUA

    ===========

    Edited by Deborah Coker/Uche Anunne

  • FCCPC frowns at increased sale of adulterated foods

    FCCPC frowns at increased sale of adulterated foods

    Adulteration
    By Ginika Okoye
    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has frowned at the increasing sale of adulterated and contaminated foods in the markets.
    The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said in Abuja on Thursday, that some traders were engaging in various forms of adulteration without minding the health implications on consumers.
    Abdullahi said this at a one-day sensitisation for traders, farmers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the public on forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat and grains.
    Abdullahi said the move was to ensure a healthier society in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
    He said the Acts that established the Commission gave them powers to evacuate fake and adulterated products from the markets to avoid purchase by consumers.
    According to him, we have to renew the hope of our people to be alive and healthy first.
    “We have allowed the love of money to supercede everything that we do.
    ”We will go the markets to sensitise the traders, educate the public and sellers that adulterated and fake products are not allowed in the markets and if they see any, they have somewhere to report.
    ”We are going to markets in the states, the grassroots, farms to find out the sharp practices going on and to ensure we get a healthier society in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
    ”We have to ensure that the goods in the markets are according to the standard that they should be, ”he said.
    Mr Femi Stephen from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described adulteration as the addition of substandard substances that had same properties with the food stuff which they are mixed.
    On adulteration of palm oil, Stephen said they are being adulterated with dye, lard (animal fat from pork) and transformer oil (paraffin).
    Stephen said that adulteration had been linked to various health challenges.
    He listed some health issues linked to adulteration to abdominal pain, nausea, brain damage, stomach disorder, cardiac arrest, liver disease and breathing difficulties.
    Stephen urged farmers to seek experts’ guidance in the application of pesticides to avoid poisoning.
    Dr Promise Ogbonna from the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that forceful ripening of fruits was detrimental to health.
    Ogbonna said that calcium carbide used for forceful ripening of fruits were arsenic and phosphorus which had been said to be carcinogenic.
    Dr Edozie Ugwu, the Vice-President, North Central, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), commended the FCCPC for the sensitisation.
    Ugwu said that many Nigerians had lost their vital body organs to the adulteration of food.
    He said the market associations would collaborate with the Commission and other government agencies to ensure that the law penalised any trader found wanting in the practice.
    ”What we intend doing is to take this back and sensitise our traders on the importance of avoiding these adulterated foods.
    ”We plead that this be extended to various markets, ”he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various market associations including market women associations and members of Food and Hygiene Association of Nigeria were present at the event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    GINI/EAL
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    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Ogun govt. partners community leaders against gender-based violence

    Violence
    By Yetunde Fatungase
    Ijebu-Ode (Ogun), June 13, 2024 (NAN) Ogun Government says it is joining forces with community leaders in Ogun East Senatorial District to promote advocacy and curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.
    Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Ayotunde Lawal, made this known while speaking at a sensitisation programme for community gate-keepers (Olorituns) on Thursday in Ijebu-Ode.
    Lawal reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that aligned with the agenda of building a safer future for all citizens.
    She stressed the need for strengthening ties with community leaders in order to curtail violence against women and children.
    The special adviser assured of government’s concerted efforts at improving the lives of the people of the state.
    “As a government, we will continue to encourage and support our gate-keepers in each community, whose mission tallies with our agenda of ‘Building Our Future Together’.
    “We will also continue to make life more meaningful for citizens, irrespective of their geographical locations, gender, religious and political affiliations,” she said.
    Earlier, the Director, Women Empowerment Services, Mrs Wonuola Kassim, noted the vital roles being played by community leaders in reaching and impacting their people, hence the partnership to reduce GBV.
    Speaking, the Chairman of Olorituns, Ijebu-Ode Council, Chief Adeola Alausa, commended the state government for organising the programme.
    While stating that the programme was timely and essential in combating GBV, Alausa called for collective and government supports to end social vices in the society.
    In her lecture entitled: “Understanding Gender-Based Violence and Response”, the ministry’s Gender Vocal Officer, Mrs Mariam Afolabi, highlighted different forms of violence, including physical, mental and psychological.
    According to Afolabi, sexual assaults have devastating effects on the survivors’ emotion, resulting in anger, fear and sadness, even as she called on the community leaders and survivors to always speak up. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    YAF/CEO/WAS
    Edited by Chidi Opara and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Nigeria’s democracy must address corruption, insecurity, others—Expert

    Democracy

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, the Country Director, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), says Nigeria’s democracy must strive to address corruption and insecurity in the country.

    Olorunmola made this submission in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja in commemoration of 25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that though Nigeria’s democracy was “work in progress”, it must also address quality of governance, rule of law, accountability and competence of public officers.

    WFD is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world and has actively supported democracy across continent for more than 30 years.

    The WFD country director said that though Nigeria’s democracy had made progress and had witnessed transition of governments over time, it was still not where it should be after 25 years.

    He said that the high expectations of Nigerians in the area of good governance, leadership, public service had not been met.

    According to him, Nigeria is not yet there  because the rule of law is still very weak;  there is a lot of corruption, impunity and competent people are not getting into the political space.

    He decried the cost of accessing political platform to get to power saying that it was beyond the reach of many competent and well intentioned people.

    Olorunmola regretted that Nigerians still saw all manner of conflicting pronouncement from courts on same issues.

    He said that the judiciary was supposed to be the last hope of the common man but that at the moment looked to be on trial.

    The country director said that the judiciary must rise up to overcome the current situation where it was regarded as an instrument in the hands of the powerful, if good governance must be entrenched.

    He explained that the Legislature had a responsibility and a duty to contribute to good governance through oversight function, instead of being complacent.

    Olorunmola also said that the 10th National Assembly must rise up to the occasion of effective oversight for Nigeria to begin to witness good governance.

    He  said that the executive must set targets for itself and work to reach those targets in terms of good governance, services delivery based on budgetary allocation for dividend of democracy to take root.

    Olorunmola noted that the situation where citizens who were professionals in various fields were selling their property to relocate en masse  to other countries for greener pastures did not speak well of Nigeria’s democracy.

    ”Democracy is about the people; however, a situation where about 50 per cent of the population who are women and over 30 million Persons With Disability (PWD) are not represented in government leaves much to be desired.’’

    According to him, every country uses the strength of their young people but Nigeria is yet to appreciate the strength of its youth and deliberately use them.

    ”When we are able to deal with these, then we can be talking of making progress democratically, and importantly when citizens are safe in any part of the country.

    ”At the moment, Nigeria’s democracy is work in progress just as in every other country.

    ”But leadership needs to roll up their sleeves and realise that it is not business as usual; there is work to be done and followership also need to be watchful.

    ”Citizens must be able to call leadership to order and place a demand on leaders to be more productive than.”

    Olorunmola, however, disagreed with calls to return to parliamentary system of government and calls to run a one term elective office of five years.

    He said that the problem of the country was not the system of governance but getting the right people into office to address growth and developmental challenges.

    The country director said that until Nigeria addressed the quality of governance, rule of law, security, corruption, accountability and getting competent people into governance, a change in system of governance would not do much. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    EOO/DCO/CJ/

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    Edited by Deborah Coker and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • G7 states agree huge loan for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets

    G7 states agree huge loan for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
    Assets
    Bari, Italy, June 13, 2024 (dpa/NAN) G7 states have agreed to lend Ukraine 50 billion U.S. dollars using money generated from frozen Russian state assets, diplomats said on Thursday at the first day of G7 summit in Italy.
    War-ravaged Ukraine is to use the loan package to strengthen its military defence against Russia, pay for the reconstruction of infrastructure and funding for Ukraine’s state budget.
    The U.S. government says around 280 billion U.S. dollars of Russian central bank money has been immobilised in Western countries due to sanctions imposed since the full-scale Russian attack on Ukraine more than two years ago.
    The bulk of the money is within the European Union.
    The bloc’s member states recently approved the use of interest income generated from Russian state assets to finance aid for Ukraine.
    The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear, by far the largest holder in the EU of frozen Russian central bank assets – recently said that it had collected around 4.4 billion euros (4.7 billion U.S. dollars) in interest in 2023.
    Planning for the structure of the loan package has been under way for months.
    The United States had originally campaigned in favour of collecting not only the interest income, but also the frozen assets themselves and using them to provide financial support to Kiev.
    Some European capitals, however, had major reservations about this.
    G7 leaders are meeting for a summit in southern Italy from Thursday to Saturday.  (dpa/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/IKU
    ==
    Edited by Ummul Idris/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Police deploy personnel to worship centres, highways in Osun

    Eid-el-Kabir: Police deploy personnel to worship centres, highways in Osun

    Police
    By Olajide Idowu
    Osogbo, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Police Command in Osun has deployed personnel to worship centres and highways to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.
    SP Yemisi Opalola, the command’s Spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday said all area commands and divisions have been directed to provide adequate security in their jurisdiction for the Sallah celebration.
    Opalola said that as part of efforts to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, has ordered the deployment of operatives to strategic locations and flashpoints.
    She said these include highways, worship centres, and all nooks and crannies of the state.
    “The CP, in a directive issued to all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers as well as Tactical Commanders in the command, charged them to ensure that no stone was left unturned in making sure that adequate security was provided in their various areas of jurisdiction.
    “While stressing that maximum attention should be paid to critical public places and other points prone to public disturbance, the CP assured members of the public that security had been beefed up to ensure a crime-free Sallah celebration”, she said.
    Opalola also said that the CP charged heads of formations to personally supervise their personnel deployed for this special assignment and warned them not to infringe on the rights of citizens but to protect them from untold incidences.
    “They are to ensure a 24/7-hourly surveillance of their respective area of operations.
    ”While soliciting for the cooperation of all and sundry, the state police command urges citizens to be law abiding”, she said.
    She enjoined parents and guardians to take good care of their wards, and advised them to stay away from any act capable of causing public disorder.
    ”Members of the public should report any suspicious movement or any infraction of the law to the police command through the following numbers 08039537995 and 08067788119”, she added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    ID/DCO/IKU
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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Tayo Ikujuni

  • ‘‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ seeks Southeast governors support for entertainment industry

    ‘‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ seeks Southeast governors support for entertainment industry

     

    Album

     

    By Chimezie Anaso

     

    Awka, June 13, 2024(NAN) Shedrack Nnanna, popularly known as ‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ has solicited for the support of the governors from the southeast for a vibrant entertainment sector.

    SheddyJoe who is set to launch his 8-track album titled ‘This Naija’’ on June 29 said this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Thursday.

    He is a standup comedian, master of ceremonies, musicians, civil servant and presently Senior Special Assistant to Gov Chukwuma Soludo on Events and Protocol.

    He said though Anambra was growing in terms of showbiz activities but its still a far cry from Lagos which is the melting point of entertainment in Nigeria.

    ‘Lagos is the melting point of entertainment today because the state government took special interest and created an enabling environment with cinemas, halls, event centres, parks and all that. 

    “The South East has a problem with showbiz because the  environment is not supportive, what we have here are mainly beer parlour and maybe clubs we go to eat and drink.

    “However, I am beginning to see the light in the tunnel, Chief Willie Obiano tried a lot for the entertainment industry, and people were coming to perform in Awka.

    “That was when we began to have studios, sound engineers and stage shows, though, it still cannot be compared with what we have in Lagos,” he said.

    SheddyJoe who described himself as a ‘’Total Package Entertainer’ said the launch of his album entitled “This Naija’’  would be a turning point for the entertainment industry in Anambra and an inspiration to upcoming artists.

     “I believe that with what I am doing by setting the pace at people will understand that things will definitely change for good”

    He advised upcoming artists in Southeast not to be discouraged by the challenge but lead the crusade for the change they desired in the industry.

    He said Lagos did not become the hub of showbiz overnight because some people started it when there was no reward but for the passion they had. 

    “There will always be challenges, just face that challenge, you will surely surmount it, if  you have a dream,  go after it.

     

    “If you know anybody that can help you realize your dream, talk to him about it because the dream will die if you do not express it,” he said.

    Speaking on his album, SheddyJoe said the genre of his music is Soft Reggae, a blend of Reggae, Afrobeat, Highlife and Jazz which appealed to every stratum of the society.

    According to him, songs in the album include ‘This Naija’  ‘My World’ which is for lovers, and ‘’God Bless the Day I Found You’  which I wrote in my secondary school days. It is a true life story of a young girl I met.

    “All the songs in that album were specially inspired, like Uri Oma is a popular folklore in Southeast but I used one popular in my town, Anaku in Ayamelum LGA to make the song in a modernised way,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.n

    APC/EAL

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    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

     

  • Man, 51, arraigned for allegedly stealing goats valued N960,000

    Stealing

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

    Ibadan, June 13, 2024 (NAN) A 51-year old man, Raufu Nureni, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing 12 goats valued N960,000.

    Nureni, whose address was not provided, is being charged with conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Anthony Igori, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between June 6 and 9, in the Apete area of Ibadan.

    Igori alleged that the defendant stole six goats worth N570,000 belonging to Mrs Yemisi Ajayi, and another three goats valued N140,000 owned by Mrs Toyin Michael.

    He further said that Nureni stole three other goats worth N250,000 belonging to Mrs Khadijat Sanusi.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mr Olaolu Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until July 3 for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    CC/NNO/AZU

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    Edited by Nick Nicholas and Azubuike Okeh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 1 year in office: Emir of Ilorin felicitates Kwara lawmakers

    Lawmakers
    By Mujidat Oyewole
    Ilorin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has rejoiced with lawmakers representing the people of Kwara in the 10th National Assembly, as they mark one year in office.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the emir’s Spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin.
    Sulu-Gambari particularly congratulated Sen. Saliu Mustapha, Kwara Central Senatorial District; Hon. Yinka Aluko, Ilorin South/East Federal Constituency and Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya, Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency.
    He applauded them on the ‘landmark achievements’ which they had recorded since their inauguration in 2023.
    The royal father, who is also the Chairman, Kwara Traditional Rulers’ Council, described the lawmakers as frontline politicians who are well-equipped with wisdom and charisma.
    According to him, the qualities possessed by the legislators are those required for quality legislative functions that would bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
    The first-class traditional ruler thanked the lawmakers for the numerous empowerment programmes, job opportunities and projects facilitated to the state.
    He urged them not to relent in their efforts at ensuring quality representation at the national assembly.
    Sulu-Gambari also urged them to sustain the robust working synergy with Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in order to facilitate more development projects and human capital opportunities into Ilorin emirate and beyond.
    He prayed Allah to continue to strengthen the legislators in their meritorious service to the community, the state and the country at large. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MOB/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • German state leader demands action from Scholz on migration

    German state leader demands action from Scholz on migration

    Action

    Dusseldorf, June 13, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been urged to make specific proposals on migration ahead of a meeting next week between the federal government and the premiers of Germany’s 16 states.

    “This is the last opportunity for the chancellor to show that he really will make proposals for effective control and order with respect to the migration issue.’’

    The premier of the industrial heartland state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, told journalists on Thursday.

    The conservative politician spoke just days after anti-migration parties made strong gains in Sunday’s European elections, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany.

    The three parties in Scholz’s centre-left coalition performed poorly, managing together less than a third of the vote.

    “We have to put a stop to irregular migration’’, Wüst said in the state capital Dusseldorf, calling for plans for asylum procedures outside the European Union to be speeded up.

    Wüst said he expected expert reports resulting from an exchange between the Federal and State Governments to be presented at the June 20 ministers’ conference.

    “We really need a line from the Federal Government on this issue,’’ he said.

    While the Federal Government sets asylum policy, the states and local authorities provide the accommodation and services. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/EAL
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ekemini Ladejobi