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  • Climate change: LIFE-ND distributes 500 economic trees to Abia community

    Clima

    Tree

    By Leonard Okachie

    Ohanze(Abia), June 11, 2024(NAN)The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger-Delta(LIFE-ND), has distributed over 500 stands of different varieties of improved tree species to Abayi Ohanze Community of Abia.

    The economic trees were distributed on Tuesday to about eight kindreds that make up the community, in Obingwa Local Government Area, to mitigate the impact of climate change.

    Some of the varieties included coconut, mango, cashew, sweet orange, bitter kola, avagado pea, native pea, guava as well as non-fruit trees such as iroko, neem, flame of the forest and others.

    Abia Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said that initiative was in celebration of World Environment Day, marked on June 5.

    He said that the project was very sensitive to its environment because its activity had to do with agricultural development.

    According to him, agriculture happens to be one of the highest contributions to climate change.

    He explained that the project had mainstreamed environment and climate change as a component of its intervention activities.

    “We have decided that we are going to distribute not less than 5000 economic trees across the 100 communities in the state that we work on.

    “The global community also recognises that we are actually tending towards having a high temperature being experienced globally.

    “Of course, the target of having an average temperature of 1.5 Celsius across the world is what we want to achieve,” he said.

    A Climate Change Specialist, Mr Chidozie Kanu said that it was a community-based tree planting campaign to support the mitigation of climate change.

    He explained that members of the community at different levels were engaged and the trees handed over to them.

    “We have over 40 stands of each of the trees supplied and the choice of the species was made by the community after our engagements and consultations with them,” he said.

    Mr Amadi Iwuala, the immediate past Chairman, Abayi Ohanze Community Development Union, expressed gratitude to the project for the tree donation.

    He said that the project used the opportunity to sensitise the large number of community members present, on the benefit of planting trees within their immediate environments.

    “We will make sure that these economic trees given to us are nurtured and we will plant more from these once they start producing fruits,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LIFE-ND is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with support from the Federal Government and the participating states, including Abia, to boost food production in Niger-Delta. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

     

    LEO/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

  • Tinubu greets Justice Muhammadu Uwais on birthday

    Tinubu greets Justice Muhammadu Uwais on birthday

    Birthday

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday congratulated Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais,a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, on his birthday.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement that the President celebrated the eminent jurist who  served the nation in many capacities, including as Chairman of the National Judicial Council.

    He also served as Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute.

    “President Tinubu extols the courage, wisdom, and fine thread of brilliance, which ran through the illustrious legal career of the elder statesman.

    “The President commends Justice Uwais for his service to the nation, acknowledging his role in shaping the foundations of Nigeria’s judiciary.

    “The President prays for many more years in good health for the elder statesman and his family,” Ngelale said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • EU plans to extend protection for Ukrainian war refugees until 2026

    EU plans to extend protection for Ukrainian war refugees until 2026

    Refugees

    Brussels, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission has planned to extend emergency rules to shelter people who fled the war in Ukraine until March 2026, in a move announced on Tuesday.

    The EU stands united in protecting people who fled from Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

    EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said in a statement.

    The Ukrainians who fled to the EU after the full-scale invasion of Russia in 2022 were granted immediate protection.

    The protection was after EU member states set up a temporary regime designed for cases of mass influxes of people.

    In addition, people under temporary protection were entitled to social benefits, housing, access to education and work permits, among things.

    The proposal is designed to avoid the lengthy national asylum seeking procedures required to process large numbers of displaced people.

    Furthermore ,extension of the temporary rules are possible for up to one year.

    The existing regime was set to end in March 2025.

    EU justice and home affair ministers were to examine the extension on Thursday and Friday in Brussels.

    The commission reported almost 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently residing in the EU under these rules with Germany hosting the most people at 1.2 million. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    COO/BHB
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji

  • NECA solicits end for child labour

    Child
    By Esenvosa Izah
    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to end child labour in the workplace and across the country.

    NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made the call on Tuesday in commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour marked on every June 12.

    Oyerinde said that there was the need for concrete actions and collaboration to fulfill the country’s commitments.

    “As stakeholders, we must reflect on our progress on this important issue and identify areas where we can intensify our efforts,” he said.

    He said that child labour remained a pressing issue in the country which “affects millions of children denied of basic rights to education, health and a safe environment.

    “This day serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to implement and strengthen policies.

    “These policies should be aimed at eradicating child labour in the workplace, particularly within business value chains and promoting overall child welfare”.

    The NECA boss said that the association had been pivotal in the fight against the worst forms of child labour.

    He said that the association had developed a “code of conduct and guidance tool for businesses within the organised private sector.

    “This tool aims to guide companies toward the elimination of child labour, while the association has advocated for in creased allocation of corporate social responsibility resources toward initiatives aimed at eliminating child labour”.

    Oyerinde urged the government at both national and sub-national levels to prioritise children’s welfare in their development agendas.

    He said that government should ensure that policies and programmes were effectively implemented and adequately funded for maximum impact.

    He reiterated NECA’s and employers’ commitment to upholding and enforcing policies that would prohibit child labour in all forms across supply chains and operations.

    “The private sector is willing to continue to invest in educational programmes and skill development initiatives that offer children and their families alternatives to child labour.

    “I commend the International Labour Organisation for working with the association and private sector employers for their various corporate social responsibilities, even in a challenging economic environment, toward the eradication of child labour in Nigeria,” Oyerinde said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    EEI/KAY
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    Edited by Kayode Olaitan

  • Tinubu condoles with Malawi over death of VP Saulos Chilima

    Tinubu condoles with Malawi over death of VP Saulos Chilima

    Condolence

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to President Lazarus Chakwera and the people of Malawi over the death of Vice President Saulos Chilima and other officials in a plane crash.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Monday, in Abuja, that President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the deceased over the June 10 incident.

    “The President assures the Malawian nation of Nigeria’s support during this time of mourning and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed.”

    Recall that Chilima and nine others were reported to be flying within Malawi on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from airport radars.

    On Tuesday, the search and rescue team was reported to have found the aircraft near a hill in the Chikangawa Forest, completely destroyed, with no survivors.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/SOA 

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Unilorin to establish film village -V-C

    Film village
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, said the university will support the Department of Performing Arts to establish a Film Village.

    Egbewole made this pledge in Ilorin while declaring open the 499 final year project performance titled;  “Agudua,” held at the Performing Arts Theatre, in the University on Tuesday.

    He said that the film village when established would enhance the department’s global presence and improve the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

    The Vice Chancellor congratulated the lecturers of the department and their students for keeping faith with the project since 1985.

    “I hope that people would pay to see various performances by the students in the nearest future,” Egbewole said.

    He said his vision is for the department to develop a strategy to turn the course into a revenue-generating venture for both the department and the University.

    In his remarks, Prof. Segun Oyewo, the Head of the Department of Performing Arts, said that the department reached a significant milestone because of the tremendous support of the Vice Chancellor and his management team.

    He added that the recent renovation of the Performing Arts Theatre was possible through the support of the Vice Chancellor.

    “The rich artistic traditions of the 499 final year project performance, which has flourished since 1985, started with five groups of 18 students and now expanding to 18 groups performing for over 18 days.

    “The theatre is experiencing significant patronage, and with the continued support of the administration, it will be transformed into a premier destination for theatre entertainment in Nigeria and Africa,” Oyewo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/DEB/EAL
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    Edited by Debo Oshundun/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Nigeria may lose $27.29bn over ESIC Project – Admiral Okoja

    A retired Rear Admiral, Andrew Okoja.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    By Aisha Cole

    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A retired Rear Admiral, Andrew Okoja, has warned that Nigeria stands to lose $27.29 billion in foreign investment for the Escravos Seaport Industrial Complex (ESIC) project in Delta State.

    Okoja, who is also the chairman of the Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC), said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos

    He stated that the country was on the verge of missing this significant funding due to prolonged delays by the federal and Delta State governments in granting final approval for the project’s commencement.

    “The delay in providing the necessary approvals by both the federal and Delta State governments may result in Nigeria missing out on creating much-needed job opportunities and boosting the nation’s economy,” Okoja said.

    Okoja emphasised that the investors are prepared to commit funds for the project’s start.

    He noted that the ESIC project promises to significantly open up Delta State and seven other states, including the FCT, Abuja, to international investment in trade, commerce, and industry.

    “ESIC will transform the economy of Delta State and other beneficiary states from a predominantly rural economy to one driven by metropolitan development of international standards.

    “This project is modelled after the Lekki Deep Seaport/Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and aims to address the perennial port congestion problems in Nigeria,” he added.

    Okoja further explained that the ESIC project is a non-solicited Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regulated by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    According to him, it involves a 50-year renewable concession lease to Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) the ESIC deep seaport and Free Trade Zone project.

    He noted that EDIB International of Hong Kong had expressed its willingness to invest $27.29 billion in developing the ESIC project earlier in the year.

    The project is complementary to the ongoing Lagos – Calabar coastal road initiative in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AIC/AWA

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    Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

     

  • FG, agric donor group partner on food security

     

    Food

    By Akpan Glory

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says it is collaborating with the Agriculture Donor Working Group (ADWG), a consortium of development partners, to promote food security in the country.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, made this announcement at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The theme of the forum was “Strengthening Ministerial Capacity on the Use of Innovation to Catalyse Commodity Value Chain Development.”

    Fashedemi was represented by Mr Ibrahim Taminu, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination at the ministry.

    “The goal is to engage you to facilitate the necessary technical and financial support that can assist the Department of Reform Coordination, Service Improvement, and Innovation in achieving improved agricultural productivity.

    “It is also to accelerate the attainment of ministerial agriculture targets from 2024-2027 to address the food security challenges in the country,” he said.

    Dr Mustapha Popoola, Special Assistant to the Minister, outlined the key focus areas driving innovative solutions in Nigeria’s agri-food sector during his presentation.

    “The focus areas include the development and delivery of innovative solutions to address post-harvest losses, aiming to reduce these losses in the priority commodity value chains.

    “Capacity strengthening of departments and agencies is essential to enhance support for a culture of innovative thinking across the technical work stream of the FMAFS, especially in the commodity value chain.”

    Popoola also highlighted other initiatives such as innovation competitions, entrepreneurship development in agro-allied activities aimed at training and certifying retiring civil servants to thrive in the agri-food space.

    “We are developing and deploying value chain innovation platforms at research institutes and colleges under the ministry’s supervision,’’ he said.

    He listed some of the priority commodity value chains as rice, onions, pepper, mangoes, beans, ginger, plantain, oranges, vegetables and aquaculture.

    Popoola said that the summit was specifically aimed at women, youths, and retiring civil servants to educate and train them in the agricultural sector.

    In his remark, Koffy Kouacou, the representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation, pledged continued support for Nigeria in the agricultural sector.

    Jazmian Allen, Co-chair Donor Working Group, also pledged continuous partnership towards achieving food security in Nigeria. (NAN)

     

    ALEX/ CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • Senate passes N98.5bn FCT supplementary budget

     

    Bill

    By Kingsley Okoye

    Abuja,June11,2024(NAN)The Senate on Tuesday at plenary,  passed the 2024 Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N98.5 billion.

    This, followed presentation and adoption of report of Committee on FCT by the Vice Chairman, Sen.Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu).

    Ngwu in his presentation,  said in line with provisions of  the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended, the 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation bill,was read the first time on May 15.

    He said following conclusion of the second reading on June 6, the bill was referred to the committee on FCT for further legislative action.

    Ngwu said in accordance with sections 62, 80 ,88,89 and 299 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the committee met with the FCT minister and other relevant officials of FCT administration and deliberated on modalities to process the budget.

    Ngwu said the FCT administration proposed  N98.5 billion for the 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation.

    According to him, the proposed sum is to augment priority areas of the FCT statutory appropriation capital expenditure.

    He said the committee recommended for approval of N98.5 billion for 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation.

    Ngwu said in considering the budget, the committee worked harmoniously with the  House of Representatives to present one version of the appropriation bill for consideration of senate.

    “On behalf of the committee, I hereby present the recommendations for consideration and passage of the FCT statutory supplementary appropriation bill into law,”Ngwu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the approved appropriation bill includes provision of N48.5 billion for local engineering services, education secretariat N18 billion, department of transportation N16 billion, while  N16 billion was earmarked for public building. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    KC/CHOM/SH

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza

     

     

     

  • Attempted robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Attempted armed robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Imprisonment
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 11,2024 (NAN) The FCT High Court in Kubwa, on Tuesday sentenced a man, Hassan Aminu, to life imprisonment for attempted armed robbery.
    The Attorney-General of the Federation charged Aminu with four counts bordering of attempted robbery.
    Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf convicted Aminu and sentenced him to one year in prison on count one, 14 years in prison on count four and life imprisonment on count three.
    Akanbi-Yusuf  said that the court could not exercise its discretion in sentencing the defendant regarding count three saying that the law provided the punishment in Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms Act.
    Earlier, the defence counsel, Mercy Afolayan had applied for the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that Aminu had been in prison for the past seven years.
    Afolayan however, applied for the court to put same into consideration while sentencing, adding that he was a first time offender.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecuting counsel, Chelsea Emezina told the court that Aminu and one Awodu Elizabeth at large trespassed the premises of Reverend Philemon Bulus at Durumi, Abuja on Oct.8, 2017.
    Emezina said Aminu and Elizabeth forcefully broke the car glasses of the Reverend and attempted to rob him and his family members at their residence while armed with a knife.
    She said that Aminu voluntarily stabbed the Reverend multiple times with a knife at his residence and got arrested by the Reverend’s brother, David Dauda on the said date.
    The offence,  she said contravened the provisions of sections 348, 327 and 248 of the Penal Code.
    It also contravened Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
    JK/EBI//SH
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    Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza