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  • Fight against child labour, responsibility of all -FG tells Nigerians

    Take ownership of fight against child labour —FG tells Nigerians

    Labour

    By Joan Nwagwu

    Abuja, June 27, 2024!(NAN)The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to take the fight against child labour and forced labour in the country as a collective responsibility for the citizenry.

    Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, made the call at the third edition of the National Children Conference to mark the elimination of child labour on Thursday in Abuja.

    The Conference was also organised in commemoration of the 2024 World Day Against Child with the theme,”Let’s Act on our Commitments to End Child Labour”.

    According to Onyejeocha, we all are aware, the current global statistics shows that 160 million children, nearly one in 10 worldwide are engaged in child labour,.

    “About 25 million adults and children are in forced labour, including in global supply chains.

    “It is a global menace that has proven to potentially hinder the development of children, leading to a lifelong physical and psychological damage.

    ”Also keeping the children out of school, thereby perpetuating poverty across generations.

    “I humbly encourage everyone to take ownership in the fight against child labour and forced labour, and ensure the protection of the rights of citizens,” the minister said.

    She said to address the challenges of child labour, Nigeria had made giant strides in the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions 138 on the minimum age for work, 182 on the worst forms of child labour, among others.

    She also added that there was an ongoing review of the labour standard bill to mainstream child labour, with special consideration on the adoption of 15 years as the minimum age for work/employment.

    “I am here today to assure you that the situation of Child Labour will not continue.

    “I promise to use my good office to reach out to all those in authority to ensure that all Nigerian children will go to school and remain in school,” she said.

    Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director to Nigeria, called on children to be part of the advocacy against child labour.

    Phala, represented by Dr Agatha Kolawole, ILO Project Coordinator on Child Labour, also called for the passage of the Labour Standard Bill as its passage would completely eliminate the issue of child labour in the country.

    Speaking, Mrs Olaitan Olaolu, Director of Inspectorate Department, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the conference was apt towards the elimination of child labour in the country.

    Also, Mrs Judith Tietie, Head Abuja Corporate Office, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) said they would continue to educate employers on the importance of not employing children in the working environment.

    “We as employers, we have recognised our responsibilities and to create an environment where every child will drive and grow to their full potential.

    ” We have also realised that making children work when they are young weaken the labour force of the economy that is why the issue of child labour must be eradicated,” she said.

    Some of the children who spoke to NAN called on the Federal Government to do all that was possible to eliminate the menace.

    Ms Esther Bassey, National Representative of the FCT Children Parliament, called on government to take decisive action in ending child labour in the country.

    “We want them to act on their commitment, we want them to put all those promises in place and execute it so that it will be beneficial to all the children on the streets,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JAN/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Young innovators get $40,000 to transform agriculture in Nigeria

    Grand finale of the 2024 AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja,
    Young innovators get $40,000 to transform agriculture in Nigeria
    Agriculture
    By Justina Auta
    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The AYuTe Africa Challenge in Nigeria, an enterprise programme, has awarded 40,000 dollars in grants to three young agric-tech innovators to use technology in improving farming methods and food production in Nigeria.
    Dr Lekan Tobe, Country Director, Heifer International, made this known at the  grand finale of the 2024 AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
    Tobe said that the initiative would encourage innovators to leverage technology to achieve transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
    “Leveraging youth and technology presents an opportunity for the transformation of agriculture, ensuring food security, youth employment, and economic development.
    “It is technology that is helping us to close the yield gap, and create sustainable value chains, reduce post-harvest loss, and increase fertiliser, water and soil use efficiency.
    “It also helps smallholder farmers to be better organised and to build improved strength to engage with the market,” he said.
    According to him, the competition serves as a springboard for identifying and supporting outstanding young agritech innovators for visibility, growth and increased productivity for smallholder farmers.
    He added that through a regional competition, Heifer International awarded 1.5 million dollars annually to leading agritech innovators across Africa.
    Prof. Akeem Oyerinde, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, emphasised the role of youths in leveraging technology to transform agriculture system in the country.
    “We all need to rejuvenate agriculture to where it belongs.
    “Each and every one of you can key into any agricultural products and business by using the various technology.
    “A technology like the mobile phones can be used  to promote productivity and address some of the challenges affecting smallholder farmers in Nigeria,” he said.
    Also, Daniel Bature, Director, Technical Services, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development, urged youths to utilise technology and create innovations that would develop Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
    Femi Oluwagbemi, Special Adviser to the Minister of Labour and Employment, said that with agriculture, young people could easily get into the process of job creation, self employment and organise themselves into cooperatives.
    “By so doing, they will have the chances to access funding from programmes such as this,” he said.
    Manir Umar, Special Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security on Youth and Agricbussiness, said that collaboration with stakeholders would ensure the implementation of policies in Nigeria.
    “The government can create policies, but cannot be the implementers, so, we try to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure efforts like this are being strengthened
    “Youths are the drivers of agriculture revolution. So, the ministry is giving a lot of focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries include: Ruth Ede of Scratop Nigeria Ltd., who was awarded 20,000 dollars grants for her innovation in converting bio waste into nutrients-rich bio fertilisers.
    Akpem Shadrach of Vet Konect, a digital animal health company,  secured 12,000 dollars for his innovation in providing comprehensive care for livestock farmers across Africa via mobile devices using AI tools to boost productivity.
    Also, Chinasu Stephanie -Meltus of Scarecrow Green Eden’s 4th industrial revolution, got 8,000 dollars for using technology in combating climate change effects and increasing farming efficiency for smallholder farmers.
    Ede, the highest beneficiary, told NAN that she would use the 20,000 dollars grant to improve access to nutrients-rich biofertiliser for farmers to boost their production. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JAD/KAE/FAA
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    Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Folasade Adeniran

  • 50,000 families benefit from Eid-el Kabir sacrifices in Sokoto

  • Agripreneur urges youths in Edo to embrace tomato farming

    Tomato

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 27, 2024 (NAN)Mr Andrew Odihi-Ogiamen, an Agripreneur in Edo, has encouraged youths in the state to explore tomato farming, citing its high profitability within the agricultural sector.

    Odihi-Ogiamen, Edo coordinator, Youth Wing of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin.

    According to him, the climate in regions like Edo is ideal for growing tomatoes which allows farmers to harvest multiple times a year.

    “Due to the high price of garri in the market, many people are now going into cassava farming, but tomato farming is more lucrative.

    “There is consistent high demand for tomatoes in Nigerian cuisine, which ensures a ready market for the produce.

    “Tomatoes are a staple in almost every Nigerian meal, and the demand is always there.

    “As we speak, the tomatoes being grown in the country cannot meet the demand; we want more people to go into tomato farming.

    “Farmers don’t have to worry about finding buyers because there is a ready market for the produce.’’

    He, however, urged prospective tomato farmers to learn about tomato cultivation before embarking on production.

    “There are challenges of pests, diseases, and post-harvest losses. Farmers need to adopt good agronomic practices to mitigate these issues.

    “Knowledge and the right practice can help us overcome these obstacles.’’

    He added that youths’ involvement in farming could provide a sustainable and profitable livelihood.

    “Let’s take advantage of the opportunities in agriculture and transform our lives as well as contribute to the nation’s agricultural growth and food security.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    OOJ/KOO/CJ/

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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

     

     

  • NUT calls for restoration of TRCN funding

    Funding
    By Funmilayo Adeyemi
    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)  has called on the Federal Government to reverse its decision to stop funding the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
    The National President of NUT, Audu Amba, made the call at the Public Presentation of the Professional Standards for School Leadership in Abuja on Thursday.
    Amba said that the decision to stop funding the council was inimical, noting that the council was critical to the development of teaching profession in the country.
    “TRCN is the regulatory body that professionalise everyone that teaches in primary, secondary schools and universities.
    “We woke up overnight to hear that the federal government decided to stop funding of the TRCN.
    “I have never seen anywhere in the world that a regulatory body that supposed to regulate the teaching profession is not funded; do we really mean business when doing this?
    He said that the country placed much attention to other aspects while giving lip service to the teaching profession, the real implementer of other sectors.
    “Are we saying that teachers are inconsequential? We will not allow it go as leaders of teachers.
    “We will agitate and make sure government fund TRCN because we have gone a long way as the leading country in Africa, so we can’t be seen retracting,” he said.
    Speaking on professionalism, the Registrar/Chief Executive of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye said the review of the Professional Standards for School Leadership was undertaken to reflect the evolving instructional roles of school leaders.
    Ajiboye said it was also to provide a comprehensive guiding framework that addressed the contemporary challenges and opportunities within the education system.
    According to him, while the existing professional standards emphasised the administrative responsibilities of school leaders, there was a recognised need to establish comprehensive standards that address their crucial role in instructional leadership.
    “This charged them with the responsibility to provide professional learning for teachers and are considered as the most effective type of leadership practice for improving student learning outcomes.
    “The document is setting the stage for a transformative impact on the educational landscape of Nigeria.
    “The standards outlined herein are intended to promote a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, and accountability among school leaders,” he said.
    He expressed hope that the standards would be embraced and implemented with the seriousness and dedication they deserved while contributing significantly to the enhancement of educational quality and equity across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FAK/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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  •  Food security is possible through RAAMP- says National Coordinator

    Food security is possible through RAAMP- says National Coordinator

    Food

    By Doris Esa

    Abuja, June 27,2024 (NAN) Mr Aminu Mohammed, the National Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project ( RAAMP), says RAAMP is an effective means of realising food sufficiency and security across the country.

    Mohammed made this known during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of RAAMP, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He explained that most urban centres derived their supply of food from farms, which were located at the rural communities.

    Mohammed said that the main objective of RAAMP was to improve rural roads and trade to bolster food production.

    “The primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure to boost food production.

    “Therefore, the successful implementation of this project can go a long way towards guaranteeing food sufficiency and security across the country,” he said.

    The coordinator called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure an all-round success of the project.

    He said that the mission was to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones as well as challenges faced by the 19 states participating in the project.

    Mohammed announced that arrangements had reached an advanced stage for the commencement of civil works on agro-logistics centres (ALCs) latest by September with 23 major contracts that would be awarded across the states.

    ALCs referred to market hubs that have been prioritised for transformation to ultra-modern standards at various locations across the country, notably in rural communities to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.

    Also, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Mr Rakeesh Tripathi hinted that a scale-up was being mooted for the project.

    He emphasised that only states which have established and operationalised the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), with the required standing on counterpart funds would be eligible to access the scale-up funds.

    He advised all states to take advantage of the mission and get the needed support to tackle every challenge facing their State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU).

    Tripathi said that all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to embrace the scale-up project.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ORD/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

     

  • Oxfam advocates empowerment of communities on seeds production

    Seed

    By Felicia Imohimi

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN)An international organisation,  Oxfam, has called for a shift from continuous distribution of free seeds to more sustainable approach that will empower communities to produce their seeds.

    Oxfam Country Director, Mr John Makina, made the call at the Crop Diversity for Food Security Project in West Africa round table with humanitarian actors and stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja.

    Makina said that while seed distribution was often carried out with the best intentions, it had inadvertently caused some market distortions, created dependency among farmers and introduced unsuitable crop varieties.

    The director said the goal of the crop diversity project of ensuring local based production of seeds currently being implemented in Bauchi state and Jigawa ,  was to establish a resilient and self-sufficient seed system in the project regions.

    According to him, by doing so, long-term food security and agricultural sustainability will be ensured.

    “The project aim is to rectify these issues by empowering local farmers and their organisations to produce, test, and disseminate diverse and adaptable seed varieties, fostering a sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

    “In Bauchi and Jigawa , where this project is being implemented, farmers now have access to five new diverse varieties of millet and sorghum.

    “This success is due to the rigorous testing of 10 different varieties in 20 communities’ farmer field school demonstration plots.

    “These achievements highlight  effectiveness of participatory variety selection and underscore the importance of involving farmers directly in the decision-making process,” he said.

    Angarawa Ignatius, Country Representative, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Nigeria, said the meeting objectives was to learn how humanitarian actors could support development of local seed systems sustainably.

    He further said it was to ascertain how the role of agricultural producers in humanitarian actions related to seeds could be strengthened.

    According to him, the project is to support smallholder farmers, especially in conflict affected areas to produce seeds and ensure sustainable food production.

    NAN reports that the meeting was organised by Oxfam in collaboration with ICRISAT, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), USAID, Food and Agricultural Organisation(FAO), among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FUA/CHOM/CJ/

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • NGOs tasks families on championing fight against drug abuse

    NGOs tasks families on championing fight against drug abuse

     

    Drugs
    By Sumaila Ogbaje/Angela Atabo
    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Grace Thomas Foundation in collaboration with Christopher Oghogho Foundation, have called on families especially parents to be at the forefront in the fight against drug abuse to build a better society.

    The Non-Governmental Organisations made the call at a Women and Family Drug Education Programme (WOFADEP) with the theme “The Role of Family in Drug Abuse Prevention’’ on Thursday in Abuja.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Grace Thomas Foundation, Mrs Rejoice Henry-Wesley, said the move to address drug abuse from the family level was imperative.

    Henry-Wesley said that the drug use was a universal problem that transcends boundaries and could affect any family.

    According to her, when drug user is discovered within a family, it often leads to considerable stress, conflicts, and a pervasive sense of helplessness.

    “The associated shame can cause both the family and the individual using drugs to deny the problem, further complicating the path to recovery and support.

    “The Grace Thomas foundation was birthed out of my personal experience of losing a beloved sister to substance abuse.

    “It was very tragic and because of that experience, we are inspired to enlighten and educate people so that they don’t go through the same struggles that my family suffered when my sister was abusing drugs,’’ she said.

    Henry-Wesley said that education could reduce substance abuse by 50 per cent adding that educating the family would help in reducing drug abuse.

    She advised women to stay close to their children, look out for the signs and be their children’s friends so as to be able to stop them from making wrong friends.

    According to her, mothers should to also enlighten their children and let them know the dangers of abuse of drugs.

    She said the event was organised with the aim to tackle the problem of drug abuse from a family perspective, emphasising the crucial role that families could play in preventing the menace.

    Mrs Celina Onogwu, Member of Christopher Oghogho Foundation for Women, Girls and Youth, said there was need to sensitise Nigerians on the use of drug, particularly with the families especially with women.

    Onogwu said that drug abuse was gradually taking over the society, adding that more women were involved in it which had affected families negatively.

    She said the foundations had brought stakeholders to share information and experiences to enable families and people involved in drug abuse to know the effects.

    “It is to also help family members to know what to do. So it is very important that this is happening right now.

    “We the Christopher Oghogho Foundation, since we are focused on making sure that we contribute to society positively, we are joining them to make this possible, to give them our full support,’’ she added.

    A representative of NDLEA, Precious Oyutu, an Assistant Commander of Narcotics, said that it was necessary to start the fight against drug abuse from the family level since all abuser came from families.

    Oyutu said that educating the families on coping strategies and the way they should talk to their children was imperative in tackling the menace of substance abuse.

    According to her, the pivotal role of family in preventing drug abuse cannot be overstated.

    “By fostering and nurturing family environments, establishing supportive networks, and advocating for comprehensive preventive measures, society can create a resilient foundation that mitigates the risks and impacts of substance abuse,’’ she said.

    A member of Women of Worth, Edith Bagorma, said that the issue of drugs abuse was becoming worrisome and it was apt for organisations to collaborate to address the menace.

    Bagorma urged women to drive the fight against drug abuse being the closest to their children, urging stakeholders to leverage their collective effort to tackle drug abuse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/ATAB/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

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  • Troops repel attack on police station, kill 5 terrorists in Ebonyi – Army

    Troops repel attack on police station, kill 5 terrorists in Ebonyi – Army

    Attack

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 27,2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Army says its troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in Ebonyi on Thursday repelled an attack by suspected IPOB terrorists on Isheke Police Station killing five terrorists.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the attack on the police station resulted in the torching of the facility and several vehicles.

    He said that the troops, on arrival at the scene, launched a counter-attack on the terrorists overpowering and compelling them to flee in disarray.

    According to him, troops engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit, leading to an intense gun battle, which resulted in the elimination of the five suspected terrorists and seizure of several weapons.

    “The troops recovered one PKT Machine Gun with a link belt containing 94 rounds of ammunition, two AK-47 rifles with three magazines, containing 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one Sub Machine Gun with a magazine.

    Troops also recovered a Sienna SUV with registration number Ebonyi CHR-364JC.

    “The Nigerian Army will continue to operate in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to combat the terrorists’ activities by IPOB and its armed affiliate, the ESN.

    “We urge all law-abiding citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to the security agencies,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannwes.ng)

    OYS/IAA

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    Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

  • Edo: Court orders INEC to publish Asamah’s name as LP deputy governorship candidate

    Edo: Court orders INEC to publish Asamah’s name as LP deputy governorship candidate

    Judgment

    By Taiye Agbaje

    Prince Kadiri Asamah, SAN

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, affirmed the nomination and substitution of Prince Kadiri Asamah, SAN, as deputy governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the Edo governorship election fixed for Sept. 21.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, agreed with the argument of the party’s lead counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, that the LP had complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and other regulations in nominating Asamah as its running mate for the poll.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had, on Feb. 23, conducted its governorship primary election for the state where Olumide Akpata won as party’s standard-bearer.

    Akpata subsequently nominated Olayinka Faith Alufohai as his hus running mate.

    Alufoha, however, withdrew her nomination on March 8 and deposed to an affidavit of withdrawal in support of her letter of withdrawal which she submitted to the party.

    Consequent upon her withdrawal, Akpata nominated Asamah as his new running mate whose name and personal particulars were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and uploaded on its portal on April 15.

    However, INEC refused to publish Asamah’s name.

    Dissatisfied with the electoral umpire’s decision in not publishing his name, LP and Akpata, through their Counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/556/2024 to sue INEC as sole defendant.

    They prayed the court to direct INEC to accept and publish the name of Asamah as the deputy governorship candidate of the party.

    Delivering the judgement, Justice Nwite agreed with the argument of Mr Usman, SAN, that Alufohai, having withdrawn her candidature, the LP had the right to submit another name as party’s running mate.

    The judge held hat the LP submitted the name of Asamah as deputy governorship candidate within the time provided by provisions of Sections 29 (1), 31 and 32, 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The judge, therefore, said that INEC had no latitude to reject the name.

    Consequently, he ordered INEC to accept and publish the name of “Kadiri Yusuf Asamah, SAN, as the running mate/deputy governorship candidate of Labour Party for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election fixed for 21st September, 2024.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    TOA/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza