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  • Female football: Her game foundation tournament kicks-off in Abuja

     

    Female football: Her game  foundation tournament kicks-off in Abuja

    Tournament

    By Georgina Adegbie

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Her Game Sporting Foundation football tournament for girls has kicked-off in Abuja, with 16 teams battling for honours.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the grassroots tournament got underway on Thursday at the Area 3 FIFA Goal Project astro pitch.

    Mrs Pat Ayegba, Chairman, Female Football Committee, FCT FA told NAN, shortly after the kick-off that the tournament is meant to showcase and empower young female footballers in the FCT.

     

    Ayegba who is the sponsor of the tournament, said that  the foundation decided to partner with the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) so as to make much impact.

     

    “The Her Game Foundation is not just a tournament, but a movement, a movement that empowers women and girls to embrace their strength, passion and potential.

    “Football is not just a game, it’s a platform for growth, for learning and breaking barriers.

    “It teaches us team work, discipline and resilience, it shows us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve greatness,” she said.

    NAN reports that the kick-off was preceded with a march-past by participating teams, and presentation of branded jerseys and balls by the sponsor to each of the teams.

    Football stakeholders and board members of the FCT FA were also present at the entertaining opening ceremony.

    The tournament which has female secondary schools and football academies participating will end on July 7. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    BOG/MUYI/JPE

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

    Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Joseph Edeh

  • Fight cervical cancer with determination, Nwoko charges medical practitioners

    Photograph from the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) conference in Abuja on Thursday

    Fight cervical cancer with determination, Nwoko charges medical practitioners

    Conference
    By Aderogba George
    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Ned Nwoko (Delta North-PDP) has charged medical practitioners to approach the fight against cervical cancer with urgency and determination.

    Nwoko gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday at the maiden edition of African Women in medicine, health and wellness conference 2024, organised by Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN).

    The organisation of the conference was also in partnership with Focus Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was “Strengthening networks for prompt diagnosis and care’’.

    Nwoko, who was the Chairman of the conference, stated that it was crucial to eliminate the disease with the collaboration of stakeholders.

    According to him, healthcare professionals are the backbone of the medical field, and that promoting holistic health requires everyone to look beyond traditional practices.

    Nwoko, who was represented by his personal assistant, Dr Michael Nwoko, said there was a need to enhance quality of lives of the people and that this can only happen through the collaboration of all and sundry.

    “We must embrace innovation through strengthening of network to actualised Universal Health Coverage (UHC),

    “Collaboration is the key to realise the theme and sub themes of this conference, collaboration can create transformative change in the country’s healthcare system,’’ Nwoko said.

    Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, Chairman, Senate Committee on Healthcare Services, noted that the theme of the conference was timely and critical to enhance healthcare delivery in the Africa Continent.

    Banigo, who was the keynote speaker at the conference, explained that the theme shows that healthcare is a fundamental human right.

    She stated that the power of networking was a vital tool in the health sector and that it means strengthening collaboration between the health workers and communities.

    “Community engagement is key for all what we do as MWAN; if we are not close to our people we won’t know their needs, opportunities that are offered in healthcare are enormous.

    “Collaborative efforts lead to improved patient outcomes and a better healthcare system. This collective wisdom affords us to provide evidence-based healthcare.

    “We must optimise our resources effectively for optimal goal realisation; community engagement is very key, the role of networking is more critical as we look into the future.

    “We cannot effectively eliminate cervical cancer without effective collaboration among healthcare practitioners, collaboration efforts help to prevent diseases and create awareness of lifestyle,’’ she stressed.

    She called on healthcare workers to be committed to collaboration, saying that as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Healthcare Services, she would ensure the transformation of the health sector.

    Prof. Rosemary Ogu, the National President of MWAN stated that her expectation from the conference was that everybody should key into the theme of the conference – networking and collaboration to improve diagnosis and care.

    She said that if healthcare professionals do their work alone, there may not be much result, but if there is collaboration in the system, there would be a higher result among practitioners.

    According to her, the conference particularly bothers on women’s health and wellness and that sharing information makes one to learn more especially on the elimination of cervical cancer.

    Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health and Environment Services Secretariat (HESS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) stated that the administration not only carried out infrastructural determinants of the health sector, but also its social determinants.

    She said that the FCTA had started going to the grassroots’ to preach to the people that prevention is better than cure when it comes to health issues.

    According to her, due to the extensive advocacy and health information activities, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has not officially recorded any case of cholera in the city.

    She said that this was part of the initiative Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of FCT is carrying out, saying that he is not only a project man, but also wants the system to grow.

    Fasawe said that the FCT Primary Health Care Board and the FCT Health Insurance Scheme are also doing their best to ensure sanity in the health system of the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AG/IKU

    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

     

  • How I overcame drug addiction- Folaranmi

     

    Drug

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Mr David Folaranmi, a repentant drug addict, has narrated his experience on drug addiction and how he was rescued from the social vice.

    Folaranmi, who is the founder of David Folaranmi Foundation, narrated his experience during the foundation’s 6th Annual Symposium, on Drug Abuse, held at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) on Thursday.

    The event held for the youth, was themed “Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention”.

    “I was once a drug addict. When I finished schooling in Nigeria, I went to the UK in 2010 and some of my friends introduced me to hard drugs.

    “It became bad that I started selling my property including my car and started living on the streets in UK; it took up to seven years of moving from one place to the other but I was rescued and rehabilitated.

    “When I got better in 2017, I started this foundation to save the youths from drug addiction,” Folaranmi said.

    The founder called for increased campaign against drug abuse in the country particularly in the South East to discourage youths from consuming hard drugs.

    “When I went for a programme and drug survey came out, and there was high prevalence cases in the Southeast, we decided to establish the foundation in Enugu,” he said.

    Speaking on the theme, Folaranmi said the prevention should start from the family, where parents were expected to speak to their children on dangers of drug abuse.

    According to him, communities, schools, media and religious leaders, also have roles to play in that regard.

    Folaranmi explained that the symposium was also meant to remind the young people on the issue of drug abuse and its effects in the society, so they would not forget.

    “So if we can teach them at school level on prevention, it will not exceed to their adulthood. We will train them on causes, risk factors, and preventive measures.

    “As we train them, they will go out and train others,” he said.

    He revealed that the foundation was borne out of the need to educate Nigerians against drug abuse, especially the young people.

    Delivering a lecture on Drug Abuse, the Associate Dean, Student Affairs, UNEC, Prof. Philip Udoh, recalled that during his days in school, illicit drugs were not consumed, but were common among students.

    While urging them to seek medical help, if affected by it, Udoh urged for total ban on sales of hard drugs from markets.

    In a remark, Lt.Col. Adeyemi Abolade, the Commander, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Enugu, commended the foundation for the programme, saying that drug abuse was a menace to the society.

    He urged students to desist from it as  its prevention was cheap, but could cost a lot to treat.

    A student, Miracle Oji, from Jesus Foundation School, Enugu, expressed happiness over the sensitisation, stressing that, “I have learnt a lot about drug abuse and how it affect our lives.

    “I will take the message to my friends and other members of my community,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by many secondary schools from the state capital, representatives of security agencies and health officers among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/ARIS/MNA

    ========

    Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Maureen Atuonwu

  • Flooding: Lagos to construct additional drainage collector on Agungi

     

    Flooding

    By Fabian Ekeruche

    Lagos, June 27, 2024 (NAN)  The Lagos State Government says it will construct additional drainage collector on Agungi, Lekki, to tackle the perennial flooding in the area.

    Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, said this on Thursday during the on-the-spot assessment of the impact of Tuesday flooding around Agungi and its environs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wahab, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite,  Heads of Agencies and Directors in the Ministry also visited Freedom Park Road/Kusenla Junction and Alpha Beach Road in the Lekki area.

    Wahab said  the Lagos State Government was committed to a flood-free Lagos by ensuring that residents do not have to panic whenever it rains.

    He said the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) of the ministry were deployed at the peak of the rainfall to clear the debris in the collector at the  aforementioned areas to ensure free flow of water.

    Wahab said that a minor encroachment was observed along Alfa Beach behind the James Hope University where a blockage was discovered.

    He added that  full excavation would start on Saturday from Alpha Beach to Lekki Conservation Road.

    Wahab stressed that the  construction of a new collector at Agungi Road was just one of the several which the LASG would construct to address perennial flooding issues in the identified areas.

    “At  Agungi, we have agreed that the area needs a new collector that will take the water from the road into the lagoon; the collector they have there is too small to  serve the volume of storm water on the  Agungi Stretch,” Wahab said.

    He said that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure would be invited to raise the level of the road after the construction of a new collector.
    According to him, the flooding issue on System 156 (Up stream), Alpha Beach Road,  has been a recurring problem for a while.

    He  said that the dredging of the channel would commenced immediately towards making the state flood free.

    Wahab noted that people were discovered to have built to block System 156.

    He emphasised that the state would not fold its hands and allow some people for the sake of profit making destroy public infrastructure  provided by individuals and government.

    “Like we have always been saying, people built to block System 156 and some families on this  corridor also obliterated with developers to block System 156,” Wahab said.

    The commissioner vowed that the state government would continue to ramp up enforcement operations across the state to reclaim setbacks and drainage alignments.

    He appealed to residents to be whistle blowers for  government, adding that the  government cannot be everywhere.
    “Things cannot stop over night and government agencies and ministries will join forces to put a stop to these actions by enforcing our laws,” Wahab said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FBO/JNC
    =========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Public Relations, truth essential to building public trust – Minister

    Trust

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said on Thursday that speaking the truth was essential to building trust between the government and the citizens, using the Public Relations strategies.

    Idris said this in Abuja on Thursday during a panel discussion at a Grand Colloquium to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had as its theme “Public Relations, Value-Orientation and Economic Transformation”.

    The minister said that one of the things he said resolved to do on assumption of office was to restore hope in public communication.

    This, he said was because Nigerians no longer listen to government spokespersons because they had lost hope in their words.

    “As a public communicator, you have to ensure that you tell people the truth and nothing but the truth; it is important for people to recognise that.

    “One of our five pillar agenda in the ministry is that trust must be restored on the path of public communication.

    “If I do not have information about something, it is better I keep my mouth shut than to speak out of ignorance.

    “I have the blessing and approval of my principal, President Bola Tinubu, to say it the way it is but in the most palatable manner.”

    “Trust must return to public communication because that is the only way Nigerians can agree with you, respect you and even listen to you.”

    Mr Yakubu Lamai, Director-General, Strategic Communications, Nasarawa State Government, said the state had used PR to attract investment.

    Lamai said the Governor of Nasarawa ensured that the public procurement law was signed and he created a Bureau of Public Procurement which was recognised by the World Bank because of its transparency and accountability.

    According to him, it is important to keep record books open to enable people to know what is going on.

    Lamai said the true value of leadership was ensuring inclusivity and transparency, while excluding sentiments in all forms.

    “In my opinion, I think it is best if we concentrate on competence, character, deliverables and vision, when we are thinking of campaigning for those in political office.

    “There are politicians who bow to sentiments, either religious or ethnic, and their sentiments becloud the issue,” he said.

    Allen Onyema, Chief Operating Officer (CEO), Air Peace, said humility was a grand tool for public relations, noting that people must learn to own up to their errors.

    ”This is what we do at Air Peace,” he said.

    Onyema said Public Relations must be encouraged to help change the narratives for the country, adding that it had helped Air Peace and Nigeria as a whole to get to their present state.

    “We are looking for a new Nigeria and we must use the tool of PR to change the narrative to make Nigerians know that we are one, and know there is unity in our diversity; therefore, we must fight for each other.

    “Public Relations is one of the things that made the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to waive the payment of VAT on ticket fares, and customs duties for the purchasing of aircraft and spare parts.

    “For seven years we were battling the London route until we engaged in public relations, and that was brought to the public sphere. Without that, Nigerians would have been paying N17 million today for a six-hour flight,” Onyema said.

    He said poverty in Africa was foreign-induced, and called on the leaders to keep fighting for the love of the continent.

    “The country and continent have been adversely stigmatised. What can save the country and continent is us, not anybody else. When Africa will rise and refuse to bend, then they will no longer ride us,” he added.

    Mrs Chizo Malize, Managing Director and CEO, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), said trust in the financial sector was earned by trusting the systems.

    Malize said trusting the system was like having trust in the nation and trusting the operators, regulators and policymakers.

    “Trust is crucial for the financial service sector because without trust you cannot go to bed knowing you have so much investment or funds kept within that sector; so, trust is critical.

    “So if you take that back into value, it means that both the operators, players and customers must be able to work collaboratively to build trust to ensure continuous growth.”

    Malize said women must be recognised for their role in economic development, adding that Public Relations could be used to tell the stories of these women.

    She emphasised the importance of storytelling, as she urged PR practitioners to collaborate with women, businesses, structures and organisations to tell positive stories that would make Nigeria the best in the world. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OKE/EMAF
    =========
    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • Sunshine Stars, Queens get 3-week break

    Break

    By Segun Giwa

    Akure,June 27,2024 (NAN) The management of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens on Thursday announced a three-week break for both teams after the conclusion of the 2023/2024 season.

    The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, made the announcement at a meeting with players and officials of both teams and relevant stakeholders.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye also commended the players, coaches, supporters club of both teams as well as sport writers and the tactical rescue committee, for a job well done.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye had put in place a tactical rescue committee, comprising professionals when he resumed office as the commissioner, with the mandate to take the team out of red zone.

    Sunshine Stars finished 10th on the NPFL log with 52 points.

    ”We are not going to play politics with selection of players for Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens next season.

    ”We will always go for best legs that will return us to where are supposed to be among the comity of teams in the country.

    ”Everybody must be on their toes ,no politics, no sentiment, everybody must perform their duties effectively.

    ”We will start preparation for a better season, we must be more serious this time; we can play continental next season, teams that qualified are not better than us,” he said.

    Also, the Administrative Secretary of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Mr Ijeh Bekewei, described the just concluded NPFL season as a very challenging one for the teams.

    ”We thank God that we are able to surmount the challenges, we are going to start on a good note next season,” he said.

    All the stakeholders at the meeting urged the management of the teams to start preparation for next season early.

    They also urged the teams’ management to prioritise the welfare of the players and officials.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    GSD/DOE
    =======
    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • Misconduct: NCoS dismisses 3 personnel, sanctions others

    Misconduct:NCoS dismisses 3 personnel, sanctions others

    Dismissal
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 27, 2024(NAN) The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed three officers and sanctioned others for various acts of misconduct.

    This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer(SPRO), Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) Abubakar Umar, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Umar said that the service,in a bid to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism ,reviewed various cases of unprofessional conduct of the affected personnel .

    He said the review of the various cases,such as gross negligence of duty,absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items and general inefficiency, resulted in the dismissal of the  personnel ,including a Controller of Corrections.

     

    According to him, in a letter issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB),  twenty personnel were discharged and acquitted.

    “This is for the various offences which they were accused of; while one officer who was previously suspended was reinstated after the review exercise.

    “Also, a total of three personnel were compulsorily retired, six personnel had their ranks reduced, while 13 personnel attracted either verbal or plain warning.

    “These sanctions are in line with the zero tolerance on staff misconduct, a cardinal mantra of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa and targeted towards ridding the Service of unscrupulous elements and misfits.

    “This is so as to improve professionalism as well as to entrench discipline, ethics and excellence in its officers and men,”he said.

    Umar said that the Service had the onerous mandate of keeping custody of the legally interned in a safe and humane condition as well as reforming, rehabilitating and reintegrating them to the society as responsible citizens.

    He said :“In order to meet these mandates, the Service ensures that it cleanses personnel of bad eggs as well as unprofessionalism that may set back or slowdown the achievement of these important national mandates.

    “The Service hereby assures  members of the general public of its resolve to secure all custodial and non-custodial facilities, and engender true correctional practice in conformity with international best correctional practices.

    “The general public is also requested to support the Nigerian Correctional Service in its efforts towards effective offenders’ management so as to promote public safety and national security in general,”he said.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/EBI/BHB

    Edited by Benson Iziama/Buhari Bolaji

  • Anambra Beach Soccer team confident of 2024 league victory in Kaduna 

     

    Beach

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 27, 2024(NAN) The Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors have expressed confidence of winning the 2024 National Beach Soccer League.

    Okwudili Awam, the Coordinator of the team said this ahead of the last round of the Beach Soccer League in Kaduna.

    The coordinator said that the team would do well in spite of being debutants.

    The Kaduna leg of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League known as Super 4 will hold between July 4 and July 6.

    Awam said the Anambra Beach Soccer team had done well in the league so far that they could no longer falter.

    According to him, our chairman, Prof. Victor Madubuko has been passionately supporting the team and our supporters are counting on us.

    “The boys are ready to deliver, and I have no doubt we’ll return home with the trophy.

    “We will intensify our preparations for the big showdown because the stage is now set for an electrifying competition,” he said.

    Awam said that Anambra Warriors would fight for glory against Kebbi United BSC, Kebbi(Fishers) Beach Soccer Club and hosts, Kada City.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

    =====

     

     

  • IGP’s wife empowers 133 vulnerable women, widows in Ebonyi

     

    Empowerment

    By Christian Ogbonna

    Abakaliki, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) has empowered over 133 less-privileged women and widows of fallen police officers in Ebonyi with working tools as part of efforts to make them self-reliant.

    Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, POWA National President and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, distributed the items to the beneficiaries during a two-day working visit to the state on Thursday.

    Some of the items presented to the widows included hair dryers, skyrun freezers, sewing machines, grinding machines, bags of rice, among others.

    Mrs Egbetokun noted that the empowerment was commitments to provide necessary tools to enable them thrive amid some of their difficulties.

    “The welfare of police officers’ wives will continue to be paramount to POWA. I urge them to make good use of the items given to them and to be able to support their families,” She advised.

    Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi thanked the POWA President for uplifting the police officers’ wives.

    “Your concern for the less privileged shows that individuals like you are rare, and I pray that God will continue to protect you and bless you abundantly,” Ogbodo added.

    In her remarks, Mrs Miriam Anyai, state Chairperson of POWA, commended POWA president to the good gesture and said it was a welcome development to encourage members of the association to actively participate in entrepreneurship.

    “This empowerment programme will go a long way in impacting positively in the lives of members of POWA and police family as well as reduce poverty life of the less privileged in the community,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOC/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Ondo: LIFE-ND empowers 3500 youths in agriculture

     

    Group photograph after the event

     

    Ondo: LIFE-ND empowers 3500 youths in agriculture

    Empowerment
    By Segun Giwa
    Akure, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Coordinator of Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), says about 3,500 youths in Ondo State have been empowered through its agricultural programmes.

    The National Project Coordinator of the project, Mr Sanni Abiodun stated this during a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Akure on Thursday.

    Abiodun said the project is in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Federal Government and the host state.

    He said the project is currently in its fifth year.

    “The LIFE-ND team is in the state for the 4th joint supervision mission.

    “The team will inspect ongoing project sites of already empowered youths, ranging from fishery to poultry, cassava mills and market stalls, among others,” he said.

    Abiodun described LIFE-ND as an agro-entrepreneurship project with the sole aim of ensuring food security and enhancing income generation in the nation.

    Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Olayide Adelami, thanked the team for “a productive partnership” with the state government.

    The governor reiterated the commitment of the state government to do more in agriculture.

    He said that food production and youth empowerment are key on his agenda. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    GSD/CEO/IKU
    Edited by Chidi Opara/Tayo Ikujuni