New National Anthem captures whole essence of our being, says NUJ President
Anthem
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalist. (NUJ), Dr Chris Iziguzo has that the now new anthem captures the whole core of being Nigerians.
Isiguzo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
“Look at Nigeria, we have different languages and tribes. This anthem unite us better regardless of our differences.
“The new anthem of ‘Nigeria we hail thee’ says a lot about us as one country with one destiny.
“However, I think the first thing they would have done was to put the old and new on the table side by side and review it.
“If in the wisdom of the president and members of the National Assembly, we should revert to the old anthem, why not.
“After all, it highlights the fact that we have different tribes and tongues in one nation and yet we still exist as one. So be it,” Isiguzo stressed.
NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu Tinubu signed the National Anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” Bill 2024 into law on May 29.
The return of the old anthem elicited divergent views, with some commentators criticising the move as yet another case of “misplaced priority” given the slew of challenges confronting Nigerians.
Tinubu said that returning the old national anthem was a priority for him.
Tinubu made this known during a meeting on Thursday with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity should be protected and celebrated, adding that the country’s population should not be seen as a burden.
“But the question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that,” he said.
“As long as we are Nigerians and one family, we remain and protect our diversity and love one another as brothers and sisters.
“It is God Almighty that puts you in that particular place and makes you a member of that family. You have no control over it,” Tinubu said.NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Kaduna, June 3, 2024(NAN) A group, Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), has lauded President Bola Tinubu and his Ministers for their dedication as the administration marked its one year in office.
The group particularly commended the ministers for continuously prioritising the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda initiative.
The group gave the commendation during a press briefing to appraise Tinubu’s administration as it marked one year in office in Kaduna on Sunday.
The National Vice Chairman of the CNF, Muhammad Aminu, commended the Minister of Steel Development and his counterparts in the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, Works and Interior, for their unwavering commitment.
He congratulated Tinubu and the ministers for ensuring an impactful one year in office, saying, ”their performances thrilled and gave Nigerians hope for a better nation.”
Aminu said celebrating the ministers was the group’s modest way of encouraging Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of hard work and excellence.
“Having done our due diligence and evaluated all the Ministers under the administration in the period under review.
“We have identified true patriots who have served President Bola Tinubu and indeed Nigerians as excellent Ministers and worthy ambassadors of the Federal Executive Council,” he said.
According to him, based on the group’s scorecard, the minister who topped the list was FCT Minsiter, Nyesom Wike.
Aminu said,”He has revolutionised the provision of infrastructure and land administration in the FCT within his short period of assumption of office.”
He equally praised Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, for his giant strides in road construction, especially the usage of cement for road construction.
According to him, that has drastically cut down the cost of road construction and reduced pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange.
He listed Umahi’s achievements to include the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway as well as the Badagry to Sokoto highway.
“Another top performer is Bunmi Ojo, whose Interior Ministry employed innovative technology and cost saving means to clear the backlog of passport application, thereby ushering in an era of instant passport application and collection,” he said.
Aminu, however, said the group’s spotlight was on the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, whom he described as a ‘focused youth’ who has demonstrated enormous capacity in the ministry.
According to him, Audu has pioneered policies and projects which have the potential for the industrialisation and rapid economic development of the nation.
He appreciated Tinubu for deploying technical parameters to measure the performance of all the ministries using key indicators.
Aminu maintained,”Even though the government has done well, the people who are the direct beneficiaries of the policies are equally in position to give their perspectives on the performances of the ministers.
“Hence, our spotlight on the Minister of Steel Development, Audu as our star performer amongst all the Ministers.
“To make our position known on the historic developments in the steel sector within the last one year.
”And to also bear witness to the fact that the Minister has performed well as he strives to revive the hitherto moribund steel sector including the comatose Ajaokuta steel complex.”
Aminu described as critical, the plans towards the establishment of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) park at the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
This is in order to tap into the ₦100 billion fund set-up by the Federal Government.
He pointed out that the plan was a major step to bring back to life the economically-viable industry as well as the revival of steel facilities and research centres in Jos, Plateau and the National Steel Raw Materials Agency in Kaduna.
He assured Tinubu of their continued loyalty to his administration, which according to them, has proven to be progressive and youth-centred especially in the areas of industrialisation and job creation.
“As critical stakeholders and youths who are actively involved in the political and social development of our communities.
“We have great confidence in this administration’s capacity to create jobs and end youth unemployment.(NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)
Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Some NGOs, Rasaq Okulaja Empowerment Initiative and Helpline Social Support Initiative, have empowered sixty widows with self-sustaining skills in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Abuja.
The widows were trained on tie and dye, soap, turban and Snacks making among other skills, during a second memorial empowerment and exhibition programme by the NGOs on Sunday.
The President of Helpline Social Support Initiative, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said that the empowerment was part of activities to mark the two years memorial of late Rev. Rasaq Okulaja.
Ahmadu said that the training was also designed to eradicate poverty among widows.
According to her, the empowerment is also to give the widows and young girls an opportunity to be a better version of themselves.
She advised the beneficiaries not to be ashamed of what they were doing to support themselves financially.
To get the full benefits of the acquired skills, Ahmadu advised the widows to group themselves into clusters to enable them share facilities, access financial support and organise step down trainings to other vulnerable groups.
She also encouraged the widows on good packaging and marketing for their products to gain acceptability among the targeted consumers.
“You also need to register your businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Helpline will assist intending participants who have adequately packaged themselves with the registration.
“Try to be a better version of yourself and improve yourself at all times and form clusters so that you can work as a team and easily connect with customers.
“I promised that next year, we will expand this exhibition and take it to the Old Parade Ground, Garki to accommodate more participants, ” she said.
President of Lifeline Social Support Initiative, Dr Jumai Ahmad (3rd from left) and Mr Toyin Okulaja, wife of late Rev. Rasaq Okulaja, dancing with some of the empowered widows during a second year Rev. Rasaq Okulaja memorial and exhibition programme in Abuja.
Extolling her late husband, Mrs Toyin Okulaja, described him as a man that loves impacting on the lives of people.
“After he died, we decided to establish an empowerment initiative after his name to keep his legacy alive, and continue to impact and transform the lives of the poor and vulnerable in our communities.
“We empowered 50 women and young girls in 2023 with different skills and today they are exhibiting their products.
“This year, we decided to support only widows with self-sustaining skills, food items and a little cash to support their lives because they are going through a lot,” she said.
She expressed joy over what the beneficiaries of the first edition of the empowerment were able to do with the skills they acquired.
She said: ‘seeing what they exhibited I am glad. I am so happy that at least, we were able to empower people, who are also empowering others.
“Some of them can now feed their families and pay their children’s school fees, so, we are encouraged.”
One of the beneficiaries of the first edition of the empowerment, Judith Ogbosi, a single mother of three, said that the support helped to expand her salon business and she had employed five staff.
Another beneficiary, Victoria Itodo, a 300 level student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said she learned how to make snacks.
Itodo, an orphan, said her snacks business was currently sustaining her in school and appealed for more support to enable her to expand.
Similarly, Mrs Rita Awolumate, a mother of three, said she was trained on how to make Zarah Caps, bridal bouche, and bridal tree, fan and fascinator.
“Life was difficult for me and my family before the empowerment because my husband is not working.
“But between November 2023 and now, God has been faithful. The skill is putting food on my table, paying the bills and paying my children’s school fees,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Mangal sponsors medical treatment for 3,500 patients in Katsina
Treatment
By Abbas Bamalli
Katsina, June 3, 2024 (NAN) A renowned philanthropist in Katsina, Alhaji Dahiru Barau, through his NGO, Mangal Foundation, has sponsored medical treatment of 3,500 patients in the state.
Mr Hussaini Kabir, a member of the foundation’s board of trustees disclosed this during the screening exercise on Sunday in Katsina.
He added that such free medical outreach has been going on for a long time, especially in every quarter of the year, as the foundation has earmarked funds for such.
Kabir said that the foundation was sponsoring the treatment of patients with hernia, hydrocele and urology problems, who are mostly vulnerable.
According to him, the exercise is going on at the Katsina General hospital, Amadi Rimi orthopedic and Katsina eye centre.
Kabir disclosed that over 1,000 patients with hernia and hydrocele were screened, out of which over 400 of them would undergo surgery.
He explained that other people that were screened with other minor issues related to hernia and hydrocele were provided with free drugs and other necessary services.
“About 2,000 people with different eye problems are expected to benefit from the gesture, as over 80 patients have so far been screened to undergo surgery.
“Some of the patients with different eye problems were also provided with free drugs, and others that required eye glasses were given for free,” Kabir said.
He further explained that the foundation had taken responsibility for all the expenses of those undergoing surgery, within the period, until they are healed.
“The foundation is exclusively for empowerment, development, educational, charitable purposes and supporting the poor and vulnerable in the area of healthcare and economic skill.
“The foundation, initiated in 2016, had also sponsored surgical operations on thousands of patients across the state, neighbouring states and also Niger Republic,” he said.
Some of the patients interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the gesture, and called on government, private organisations and other wealthy individuals to emulate it (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Cleric tasks Muslims on seeking wealth through legitimate means
Wealth
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 3, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, Deputy Imam, Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, has charged Muslims to be proactive in seeking wealth through lawful means to meet their daily demands.
The cleric disclosed this in an address shortly after Subhi (dawn) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the morning enlightenment session has now become a routine exercise to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
Umar-Wasagu said: “As Muslims we need to seek wealth through lawful and legitimate means. None of the Prophets of Allah (SWT) depended on people to survive but each one of them has a trade to live on.
“Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) was an animal rearer and a businessman.”
He said that Islam did not in any way encourage laziness, begging or waiting/relying on others for a living.
While asking the Muslims to seek knowledge about Islamic history, the cleric recalled that the Prophet (SAW) worked for his wife, Nana Khadija as a boy, who traded her business between Makkah and Syria.
He explained that the very first time that the Prophet (SAW) led a business entourage, multiple of profit was realised which attracted affinity and love from the owner of the wealth, Nana Khadija due to his trust, truthfulness and humility.
“These peculiar attitudes of his drew the attention of Khadija close to him which led to their marriage,” he said.
On revelation of the holy Qur’an, the cleric said the Prophet used to go to the Hira cave, pondering about the world and who might have created it, saying: “One day an Angel appeared before him and he came back home offset telling his wife to cover him up.
“However, as a courageous and experienced woman, she encouraged him telling him about his excellent attitudes towards people, therefore, God Almighty will never betray him.
“She took him to one knowledgeable man of that period and her relation,
who was vast in the Books revealed Prophet Musa (Moses) and Prophet Isah (Jesus), the man asked him several questions.
“He then confirmed that what the Prophet (SAW) saw in the cave was the Angel that brought a message to Prophets Musa and Isah,” he said.
Umar-Wasagu recalled that when the Prophet was very young on a trade journey with his grandfather, one knowledgeable man told his grandfather that: “he should be very cautious about the life of this boy, he might have been the last prophet due to some signs I noticed in him.”
He said when the Prophet (SAW) was instructed to convey Allah’s message, the first four people to embrace Islam included; Nana Khadija, Abubakar, Aliyu and Zaidu but Umar came later and his coming to Islam boosted the religion immensely.
The cleric added that Quraish were not happy with the development, debunking the message, humiliating and persecuting those who accepted islam and forced some of them out of Makkah.
“The Prophet spent 10 years in Makkah propagating Islam preaching to people to believe in Allah and avoid intake of wine, fornication, lottery and other illicit acts.
“Persecution upon persecution forced some of the Muslims to migrate to Ethiopia, where the then ruler received them with dignity but the disbelievers followed them to bring them back to Makkah.
“However, the ruler shielded them and asked the Muslims to remain there to practice their religion in peace.
”The disbelievers planned to either kill, imprison or chase the Prophet out of Makkah but they later settled on killing him by selecting one person from each tribe to strike him at the same time.
Umar-Wasagu added,””So that none of the tribes will be held accountable. But all their plans went astray.”
He said there was a plan by the Quraish to eliminate the Prophet and he was later instructed to migrate to Madina, adding that over 80 chapters (surah) were revealed in Makkah calling on the people to believe in the oneness of God but Hajj and all its instructions were revealed in Madina. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Archbishop Martins advocates fiscal federalism, state police for development
Federalism
By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev. Adewale Martins, advocates a return to fiscal federalism and the adoption of state police for Nigeria’s growth and security.
The archbishop made the call on Sunday at a Thanksgiving Mass to mark his 65th birthday anniversary.
He said that the return of federal system and the implementation of the state police were in dire need to reposition the country for greater development.
Martins, known for his insightful stance on national issues said that those would end agitations for self determination.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the event that afforded the High Priest and the lay faithful opportunity to exchange pleasantries and examine policies of government.
The event was held at the Holy Cross Cathedral.
Speaking on the return to the old National Anthem, the archbishop said the wordings of the reverted anthem could inspire the needed patriotism in Nigerians.
The Gospel preacher, said that there were many pressing issues that Nigerians are clamouring for such as the implementation of a workable federal system of government.
He pointed out that the adoption of a state police structure has been in the minds of Nigerians to improve the security of life and property.
“If the legislature and Executive can exert same energy and commitment they applied in the passage and signing into law of the reversed anthem on salient issues agitating the minds of the people such as state police, fiscal federalism and LG autonomy, the country will get better, ” he said.
According to him, Nigerians have become impatient of unending despondency that has caused many depression and loss of lives because of improperly administered policies.
The archbishop thanked God for the gift of life, and urged people to continue to pray for divine directives on the leaders to do what was expected of them.
He said that without prayers things might have been worse than it was today. (NAN)
Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has sent a team of its officials to the Holy lands of Israel and Jordan to ascertain the safety of intending pilgrims for the 2024 Easter Pilgrimage.
According to a document signed by the LSCPWB Secretary, Mrs Yetunde Gbafe, sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, the team includes the Special Adviser to the Governor on Christian Pilgrimage Matters, Rev. Bukola Adeleke and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Lolade Aina.
The rest are the Board Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs Yetunde Gbafe and some other members of the welfare board already in Israel and Jordan.
Gbafe said that as pilgrims were expected at the various holy sites during the exercise, the state officials embarked on a pre-visit to ensure the Holy lands were safe to visit.
“Inspection of the accommodations and sites to be visited during the forthcoming pilgrimage is essential to guarantee safety.
“It is important to have a first hand information about the safety and security of the Holy lands in order to reassure intending pilgrims of their well-being while on pilgrimage.
“The pre-visit is also aimed at making adequate arrangements for a hitchfree spiritually regenerating retreat.
“It’s an opportunity to make adequate preparation for logistics with ground handlers and to secure comfortable hotels amongst others,” the secretary told NAN.
Gbafe pointed that there were plans to explore Israel’s agricultural technologies to enrich the programme and add value to the Pilgrims.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
Abuja, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Saudi Ministry of Health has granted an approval for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to operate two main clinics for the Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Arabi said the approval letter was received by Dr Abubakar Isma’eel, NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission for the 2024 Hajj Season.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is happy to announce that it has received an approval to operate two main clinics in Makkah for the meantime.
“The Saudi Ministry of Health revealed this development through its Medical Consultants attached to Ithra Alkhair company, NAHCON’s chosen Service Providers otherwise known as Mu’assasa.
“The two main clinics are those located at Masfala/Kudai and Shari’e Al-Mansour areas. They serve as the Medical Head offices,” he said.
Arabi also said that approval to start running three other outpost clinics (Triage Outposts 1, 2 & 3) was still being awaited.
“Dr A-Isma’eel expressed optimism that within the next 48-72 hours, the three outposts would also receive full approval to operate optimally.
“The proposed outposts are located at Nasarawa, Ogun/Oyo and Borno pilgrims Houses in Makkah respectively,” the chairman explained.
He said that the GPS of the outpost locations would be made available to the Nigerian pilgrims within hours of approval.
“It should be noted that the outposts are strategically situated within pilgrims’ hotel clusters to aid accessibility,” he noted.
He said that NAHCON had already deployed its team of professional medics “who are set to provide healthcare services to Nigerian pilgrims.”
The chairman solicited the cooperation of Nigerian pilgrims for the measures put in place to succeed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Oba (Anambra), June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that three persons died in a multiple accident on Sunday in Oba in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, along Owerri-Oraifite-Onitsha road.
Confirming the incident to journalists in Onitsha, the FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, said that the multiple accident involved eight vehicles.
Irelewuyi said that it involved a commercial motorcycle with no registration number, three yellow tricycles with no registration number, two toyota Hiace commercial buses with no registration number.
He said that other vehicles involved in the accident were a white Mack trailer with no registration number, a navy blue Toyota Camry with no registration number.
The commander attributed the probable cause of the fatal crash to a loss of control as a result of break failure.
According to him, an eyewitness said that tax collectors were stopping tricycles collecting taxes when the driver of the Mack truck failed break, lost control, and rammed into the other vehicles.
“15 people were involved in the crash, five persons injured, comprising three male and two female adults.
“Three persons were killed, comprising two male, one female child and seven people were rescued unhurt.
“Passersby took casualties to the hospital before the arrival of FRSC rescue team from RS5.36 Oraifite Unit Command Anambra,” he said.
The sector commander noted that the scene was tensed as hoodlums and angry mob came with machete protesting towards the revenue collectors for orchestrating the crash.
Irelewuyi sympathised with the families of the dead victims and wished the injured victims quick recovery.
He warned motorists to desist from disobeying traffic rules and regulations by servicing their vehicles to minimum safety standard before plying the road. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Abuja,June 2,2024(NAN) Senate has urged the Federal Government to continue the payment of N35,000 wage award to workers, following the yet to be concluded negotiations on minimum wage.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio said this at the end of a four hour closed door meeting with leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and some Ministers over planned industrial action by the union.
Akpabio also appealed to the union to shelve the proposed strike action in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.
“We have been making appeal and asked the NLC and TUC to shelve the proposed strike and return to the negotiating table to resolve the issue.
“I appeal that the strike be suspended for negotiations to continue in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that government’s position on the wage award was that it should continue the payment until the negotiations for the minimum wage is concluded.
“The position of Government is that the Federal Government will continue to pay its workers the wage award of N35,000 that was started in Oct 2023 until a new wage regime is instituted.”
He said he was optimistic that labour would suspend the proposed strike, following the lengthy conversation with the leadership of the National Assembly, organised labour and the federal government delegation.
He said that Nigeria could not afford strike at this moment given the challenges faced on the economy.
Idris said all hands must be on deck to ensure prosperity of the nation as strike was not the best option at this point.
“And we have pleaded with labour to see reasons with the Federal Government and everybody while the strike cannot continue in the interest of every body.”
The minister said that government was sensitive to the demand of labour and called on the unions to see reasons to heed to the request of government.
He said that Nigeria could not afford the payment of N9.5 trillion additional financial burden based on labours” demand of N494,000 demand made by labour as minimum wage for workers.
However, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo said both parties were aware of what the issues were.
He said the leadership of the union did do have power to call off the strike, saying that there were processes involved in suspension of an industrial action.
“We have listened to them, we will take the request of the National Assembly leadership to our organs, because we don’t have power to call off strike.
“The power to call off strikes lies with our organs, who would sit to decide.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance, Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Others are Ministers of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji.
Others were Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero. (NAN).www nannews.ng
