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  • GBV: Anglican group solicits support of traditional rulers in Kaduna

     

     Revd. Victor Eboh, the Desk Officer, Gender Based Violence (GBV) team of the Diocese of Kaduna Nazarene Rural Health Ministry of the Anglican Diocese in a group photograph with Mr Stephen Ibrahim, District Head of Nararyi alongside other traditional heads during an a visit to the support of the district head on GBV sensitisation in Kaduna.

    GBV: Anglican group solicits support of traditional rulers in Kaduna

    By Moses Kolo

    GBV

    Kaduna, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) team of the Diocese of Kaduna Nazarene Rural Health Ministry, Anglican Diocese, has solicited the support of the traditional rulers in the state to stem the tide of the menace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this support was sought when the team visited the District Head of Nararyi, Mr Stephen Yerima.

    This was in furtherance of the team’s sustained efforts to achieve its mandate in the fight against GBV.

    Rev. Victor Eboh, the Desk Officer of the team, made the call during a sensitisation visit at the residence of the traditional head in Kaduna.

    Eboh said the purpose of the visit was to introduce the members of the team and solicit networking to sensitise people in the community about GBV.

    He said: “Just recently, the team, during the just-concluded 23rd Synod, articulated  in a presentation, the types of GBV.

    ”Which can be sexual, physical, psychological/mental and economic.

    ”The consequences of GBV include suicidal thoughts, mental meltdown, physical bruises, raising abusive members of the society and depression.

    “It is this message we seek support of traditional heads to accessing members of their respective communities.”

    Responding, Yerima commended the initiative of the visiting team, describing it as heartwarming.

    He lamented that GBV has become a big problem in the society, ravaging a lot of people and homes, adding, “this project is for the good of this territory and therefore, I promising to give my full support.”

    Yerima said he covered a wide area ranging from Narayi, Sabon Tasha, Gonin Gora, Romi, Ugwan Pama, Maraban rido, Kudenda, Juji, U/Boro, Gaya, Bugai, Karji, Kamazou, Mahuta, and Kujama.

    He also listed some of the challenges faced in his community to include: Economic hardship and banditry, which according to him, has made women and the girl-children more vulnerable. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MGK/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Anniversary: Tinubu committed to making Nigeria great —- Director

    Anniversary: Tinubu committed to making Nigeria great —- Director
    Tinubu
    By Zubairu Idris
    Katsina, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Director, Research and Documentation of the Nigeria First Project Initiative, Mr Bashir Dauda, says President Bola Tinubu is committed to making Nigeria great.
    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue supporting his policies and give him the benefit of the doubt.
    Dauda stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Katsina.
    According to the director, Tinubu has consistently been implementing what he promised Nigerians through initiating policies in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
    Dauda said, “I am calling on the citizens to give Mr President the benefit of the doubt by supporting his good policies and persevere with the current economic hardship.
    “The president has just marked one year in office, has additional three years to work for the betterment of the country and its people.
    “It is not good to say Nigerians have exercised too much patience, because some of these policies will yield results after some years.
    “Most of the developed countries in Europe have passed through such difficult and trying moments we are experiencing now in Nigeria.
    “They are now enjoying the sacrifices of their great grandparents.”
    He further called on Nigerians to hold their state Governors responsible for developing their areas and improving their well-being or otherwise.
    “State governments were created to complement the federal government. So, if things are working effectively, lives of the citizens will be better improved,” he said
    The director explained that some successes have been recorded by the administration under the security sector, saying that over 9,000 high profile criminals were eliminated within one year.
    According to him, over 6,000 terrorists were arrested and rescued over 4,000 hostages during the period under review.
    On education, he stated that the government introduced a students’ loan scheme aimed at supporting students from poor families to continue to pursue their education.
    That, he said, was in addition to the creation and upgrading of some tertiary institutions, construction of a number of classrooms for Tsangaya Qur’anic schools, among others.
    “There are progresses in all the sectors. Bear with him and give him more time, I believe you will see more improvements,” he said.
    Meanwhile, some of the state’s residents interviewed complained of economic hardship.
    Malam Sani Abdullahi, a commercial vehicle driver, urged the government to take more measures that would address the increasing inflation in the country.
    “It is unfortunate that if you buy a commodity in the market today, tomorrow you find out that its price has increased.
    “The government should do something about it. Our concern is the poverty and inflation that are biting harder,” he decried.
    Kabir Ahmed, a labourer, explained that people like him were facing hardship particularly in the rural areas.
    He urged the government to ensure that people in the rural areas also benefit from palliative measures aimed at cushioning the poverty rate.
    Malam Musa Garba, a vulcaniser, lamented that due to the poverty and the inflation, “it is hard for people like him to eat three square miles a day.”
    He urged the government to focus attention on further alleviating the suffering of the masses.
    Garba also advised the government to provide fertilizers and other inputs to the farmers at subsidised rates to boost agricultural productivity and bolster food security.(NAN) )www.nannews.ng)
    ZI/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • RATTAWU charges union leaders on good communication skill, creativity

    RATTAWU charges union leaders on good communication skill, creativity

    RATTAWU
    By Adedeji Egbebi
    Ado-Ekiti, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Dare Durosimi, the National Vice President of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) South-West, has called on members to embrace creativity and good communication skill in resolving dispute.

    Durosimi gave the advice on Thursday, in a lecture delivered at a one-day training programme held in Ado-Ekiti, with the title: “Worker’s Interest and Organisation survival.”

    He said the call for members to be creative and adopt a new approach of engaging in dialogue with the management instead of always being at logger head with them became necessary as the world keeps advancing on daily basis.

    Durosimi advised them to be hardworking and give priority to the development of their organisation in a bid to have confidence to fight for the interest of their members whenever the need arises.

    According to him, such approach will ensure industrial harmony and make the work place conducive for members of the labour unions.

    “I want to advise all our union leaders, especially across the South-West states to embrace creativity and good communication skills to promote the development of their organisation and the union as well.

    “Being the chairman, secretary or any officer, irrespective of the office you may be holding, should not be your priority, but the interest of members.

    “Let us always add value to our organisations and the union, as that is the only way that our dear union can get to an enviable height, among other unions,” he said.

    The Chairperson of RATTAWU in Ekiti, Tola Popoola, said the training was organised for members to further widen their education and enlightenment.

    Popoola said the union was passionate about the development of its members with a view to add value to their organisations.

    Similarly, the State Secretary of RATTAWU, Kehinde Ogidi; Chairman of Progress FM Chapter, Soji Afinjuomo; and Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), Bolaji Kolawole, said the training would boost their leadership skill. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    DJ/KOLE/IKU
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    Edited by Remi Koleoso/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Centre organises Qur’anic recitation competition for PLWDs in Katsina

    Centre organises Quranic recitation competition for PLWDs in Katsina
    Competition
    By Zubairu Idris
    Katsina, June 6, 2024 (NAN) “Darul Qur’anil Kareem Wassunnah E-Global Academy”, has organised a Quranic recitation competition for the blind and other People Living with Disability (PWDs) in Katsina State.
    Its Director-General, Malam Ashiru Bala-Yandaki, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Katsina.
    He said the competition, scheduled to hold between June 15 and 16,  would have 56 participants for various categories of memorisation of the glorious Quran.
    According to him, the registration is free of charge, saying,”this is part of measures to encourage that group of people to learn how to read the Holy Quran fluently and memorise it.”
    The director -general explained that there were seven categories, but memorisation of two parts (hizbs) was the lowest category, while that of the 60 parts (complete Quran)  would be the highest.
    Bala-Yandaki revealed that the participants should be young PWDs aged from six to 20 years.
    He added that the participants must either be blind or have any other physical deformity to qualify for the competition.
    Bala-Yandaki said that the winners, who are blind would be given braille Quran, braille kits and clothing materials, while others would get copies of the Quran and clothing materials, among other prizes.
    He added that the centre would also try to secure scholarships for the best memorisers within the country and abroad like at the Islamic University, Madinah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    The scholar further said that they would conduct a quiz on Quran and Islamic knowledge for 20 deaf and dumb participants who cannot recite due to their hearing-impaired.
    He said that the centre would continue to initiate programmes to encourage the PWDs to continue searching for knowledge and abstain from street begging. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    ZI/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Yusuf lauds Tinubu on fertiliser donation to Kano farmers

  •  Cleric to pilgrims: Perform good deeds in first 10 days of Dhul-Hajj

  • EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security

    EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security

    Technology

    By Patricia Amogu

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The European Union (EU) Commission and the Gallery of Code, have unveiled the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA Programme, an art-driven initiative that will create opportunities for African artists to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proffer solutions.

    Mr Oscar Ekponimo, the Managing Director of Gallery of Code, a research, development, and consulting agency disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja.

    According to him, the programme, a science, technology, and arts-driven initiative, is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention with the Gallery of Code serving as the umbrella body for the initiative in Nigeria.

    “STARTS was initiated in 2016 but now there is a dedicated version for Africa.

    “This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.

    “Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant that will support his project – a smart technology (model) that will address food storage challenges and boost food production as well as curb rising food insecurity gaps in Nigeria .

    “Prior to selection, every host institution was meant to come up with crafting a challenge and we were to focus on food and water in Nigeria.

    Ekponimo stated that EU is pushing innovations, with an artistic perspective because innovation is more practical and impactful when it is artistically driven.

    “Out of more than 300 applications from all over Africa, Jibril was selected and supported by the EU to implement a model yam barn that will use AI to check and monitor the change in climate conditions and also monitor the air quality around the yam, as well as monitor the product for spoilage.

    “This will automatically control food wastage and address food insecurity.

    “This will be the first of its kind but the project is still at the take-off stage,

    “We have just finished the reflection stage and going further to the actualisation stage and I am happy to say that there will be a final exhibition in Nigeria and Jibrin has also been selected to exhibit an a festival that will hold in Austria from Sept. 4 to Sept 8.” he added.

    Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Co-ordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), a new initiate of the Federal Government, said the project “is in full alignment with what President Bola Tinubu wants to achieve by investing in talent (creative industry).

    “This is a really good model which can be further enhanced and made elaborate.

    “Today it’s yams we are focusing on; tomorrow it could be something else and we can leverage on this one.

    “We want opportunities where our artists can showcase our skills and products abroad and then benefit from such investments.

    “This can enhance our socio-economic strength and it shows we have a lot of value that we can bring to the table.

    “This is something that will be adapted and expanded in other countries as well and it will enhance our cooperation with so many other countries who will want to replicate and adapt this initiative in their countries to curb food insecurity.

    “We are looking forward to collaborating with Gallery of Code and our artist, Jibril on this great initiative.” he added.

    Speaking on the initiative, the visual artist, a beneficiary of the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA grant, said the core of the project was inspired by “our traditional past models of how we used to cool water in gourds and looking into more technologically advanced methods of making them work better.

    *It is a prototype yam barn, a modular storage system where the yams will be slotted in using an array of sensors that can check the climate conditions, air quality and equally shield the yams from too much sunlight .

    “During our preliminary research we visited different states in the Northeastern part of the country and discovered that out of 1,500 yam tubers harvested, 600 are lost due to lack of a good storage system.”

    According to him, the production of the yam barn can help reduce wastage due spoilage, hence increase productivity and strengthen the chances of ensuring food security in Nigeria significantly.

    “During crisis, a storage system like this can be worthwhile,” he added.

    Patricia Carvalho, EU R&I Project Manager and Consultant, said via webinar that it would be very intriguing to get to the core of what artists can achieve in promoting food security and availability of clean water using science and technology tools such as AI.

    She applauded the initiative and re-affirmed support for the project. (NAN)

    PAO/YEE

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    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Board, UNICEF, NGO orient stakeholders on MNCH week in Kaduna

  • Foundation lauds Rangers FC for initiating volunteerism among fans

     

    Volunteerism

    By Stanley Nwanosike

    Enugu, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Ebere Amaraizu, Chairman, Rangers International Football Club Foundation, has hailed the club’s management for instituting an initiative of Rangers’ Stadium Volunteers and Stewards.

    Amaraizu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Enugu that the initiative of the club’s General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, was one of the best for football development in Nigeria.

    ”This is the first in the country and in line with the international best practices.
    Stadium stewards/volunteers, which is freewill, will help in community services.

    ”They provide convivial services which promote the face of the game especially in the areas of environment (climate action), stadium cleanliness through removal of debris that can cause disaffection and dissatisfaction of fans/spectators.

    ”They also will help to maintain stadium decorum and add spices to the general security, safety and orderliness in the stadium with easy coordination.

    ”This is a huge one and needs to be replicated in all our national clubs and stadiums,” he said.

    On Rangers international FC encounter with Enyimba international FC of Aba on Sunday in Enugu, Amaraizu said the derby would help to promote community cohesion and social responsibility within South-East and Nigeria.

    ”I charge lovers of football to leverage on the passion that comes with this kind of great derby to propagate peace, compassion, build bridges as one body with one goal to foster community cohesion for a greater society,” he said.

    He also said that Rangers International FC Foundation had already fine-tuned its activities and framework with multi-disciplinary approaches and strong coalitions on community driven interventions.

    Amaraizu, who is also a sports administrator, said that the interventions would make positive impact on community impact especially among young people.

    ”Other focus areas of the intervention included: climate change, health and well-being, community engagement that will create life changing experience and opportunities among others,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    KSN/DOE
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    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • Nasarawa Assembly to partner Executive to retrofit General Hospitals

    Nasarawa Assembly to partner Executive to retrofit General Hospitals

    By Awayi Kuje
    Hospitals
    Lafia, June 6, ( 2024) The Nasarawa House of Assembly Committee on Health says the legialature is poised to collaborate with the executive to retrofit all the General Hospitals in the state.

    The Chairman of the committee, Mr Larry Ven-Bawa, said this on Thursday, when the members undertook an inspection tour of General Hospitals at Awe, Keana and Doma.

    Ven-Bawa said that the committee was impressed with the structures and equipment they saw at the facilities.

    He commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the appreciable stride made in the health sector and promised that the house would give him all the necessary legislative support to do more.

    “His Excellency, Gov. Sule has a special interest in healthcare service delivery.

    “We will give him all the necessary support to succeed in the interest of the health of our people,” he said.

    Ven-Bawa urged the hospital workers to double their commitment and dedication to their duties.

    He said, “I want to urge you to reciprocate His Excellency’s gesture by being dedicated to your duties at all times,” he said.

    The lawmaker further commended the authorities of the Hospitals Management Board, those of the General Hospitals and workers for their commitment and hardwork in ensuring that the people receive the best healthcare services.

    “The committee has seen commitment in the board and the managements of the hospitals in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    “We commend you for that and urge you to do more,” he said.

    Responding, the Chief Medical Director, State Hospital Management Board, Dr Egba Edego, thanked the committee for its commitment to the development of the health sector in the state.

    Edego said that the General Hospitals in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state were receiving massive transformation due to effective synergy between the Executive and the Legislature.

    He thanked the governor for the upgrading of the general hospitals, in terms of both the structures and modern equipment which, he said, had gone a long way in advancing the operations of the facilities.

    He, however,  expresses concern over the alleged encroachment on the hospitals’ lands.

    He, therefore, appealed for the committee’s quick intervention to checkmate the phenomenon.

    According to him, the encroachment has seriously affected five of the 17 General Hospitals in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AKW/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah