Blog

By Constance Imasuen
Policy
Abuja, Sept 18, 2018 (NAN) The Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITAD) says women should be included in policy making of Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Ms Salma Abdulwaheed, the Programme Officer, Communication, CITAD made the call while delivering a paper on the topic: “What should women want in Paris?’’ at the first IGF 2018 during the First Women Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that the 13^th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be held in Paris, France, from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14, to be host by the French Government.

According to her, the meeting will be held at the headquarters of the UNESCO, in parallel with the Paris Peace Forum on Nov. 11 to Nov.13.

“At this forum, we want to ensure that what women in Paris want is being discussed.’’

She said that at the forum, the women would also want to focus on gender perspective to be included in the key debates around internet governance issues such as content regulation, privacy, access, freedom of expression, among others.

Abdulwaheed said that there should be promotion of women’s visibility at the IGF and related fora, for conducting research and input on the main topics of IGF debates.

“To support capacity building of gender advocates and to promote more effective linkages between local, regional and global initiatives on gender and information society.

“Women want greater efforts to ensure that their diverse perspectives are brought to the forefront in each stakeholder group.

“A rights based approach to Internet governance is the only safeguard for women to fully enjoy the benefits of the Internet,’’ she said.

Abdulwaheed said that access to the Internet was important for women to be able to gain information which might not be available to them otherwise.

She said that this would also enable them to achieve full realisation of their rights, especially in case of those from the marginalised communities.

“When speaking of access, there is a noticeable inverse proportionality in the movement against the digital divide.

“Especially in countries with pronounced gender discrimination, as the overall percentage of men with access grows, the percentage of women without access or with limited access remains steady thereby increasing the gender imbalance.

“And often there is a direct proportionality between increased access for women and violence against women online, ‘’ she said.

Abdulwaheed said that issues faced by women with disabilities and their access to the internet as well how the access could  empower them should also be brought to the fora.

“We often in such discussions fail to understand that the space of gender is a cross-cutting, and in every real area of work and expertise.

“We should also consider generational gaps amongst women.

“Young women hardly have an opportunity to participate, and it is even more difficult for them to be considered as panelists, moderators and facilitators,’’ she said. (NAN)
COA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

SPDC wants peaceful resolution of misunderstanding over Belema flow station

Resolution

By Azubuike Okeh

Port Harcourt, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has restated its commitment towards peaceful resolution of the disagreement that resulted in the shutdown of its Belama flow station by some people.

SPDC said this in a statement by its Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some residents of Belema and Offoin-Ama communities shut down the facility over alleged neglect of their interests by the company.

NAN reports that the local communities are also seeking Shell’s replacement with another firm in the management of the oil facility.

Meanwhile the Rivers Government has evolved a mediation process to explore the possibilities of resolving the disagreement.

SPDC in the statement said it was committed to peaceful and speedy resolution of the feud between it and members of its host communities.

“SPDC believes that all stakeholders in the matter should give the Rivers state government-initiated mediation process the chance to resolve the disagreement peacefully.

“Contrary to false claims in some quarters, the SPDC has not resumed operations in the said facility; it will only do so when it is safe,’’ it said.

Shell said that it was fully ready to implement some social investment programmes to benefit the people.

“This resolve is notwithstanding the fact that the company has not been allowed to operate the facilities since the illegal occupation,’’ the company said. (NAN)

AZU/AOS/EMO
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Ejike Obeta

Foundation empowers 44 Less Privileged Persons in Ebonyi

Foundation

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (Z&SF), a Muslim humanitarian organisation, and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have empowered no fewer than 44 indigent persons in Ebonyi.

The empowerment  programme was held on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

The foundation based in Lagos said that the empowerment initiative was part of its humanitarian programmes aimed at reducing poverty by empowering the poor and needy to engage in economic activities.

Dr Haroun Aja, leader of Muslim community in Ebonyi and Vice President-General of NSCIA, South East, commended the foundation for choosing Ebonyi as one of the states in the Southeast to benefit from the gesture.

Aja said that Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and stressed that those who practice it always received a double of what they gave as Zakat.

He said the empowerment initiative was aimed at creating opportunities for the less privileged to participate in the economy and improve their earning potential in order to assist their families fight their way out of poverty.

He advised beneficiaries to make judicious use of materials given to them to justify the purpose.

He said that the foundation had constituted monitors that would monitor the use of the items,  noting that the organisation would not hesitate to retrieve any of the items not being properly utilised by beneficiaries.

Aja said that beneficiaries were drawn from Muslims and non muslim members of the society, adding that over 72 persons were screened, while 44 persons were selected to benefit.

“The Zakat and Sadaqat distribution ceremony holding in Ebonyi is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and economic viability of our people and assist us in our effort to be self-reliant without relying on anybody after the Almighty Allah.

“The zakat and sadaqat is a great institution we have in Islam and the organisation is really justifying the principle of charity by practicalising it.

“When we say that Islam is built on five principles; all the principles of Islam that Allah has put in place are not for His benefit, but for our own benefits.

“So, when we practise  zaka and sadaqat, we are doing good to ourselves and not to Allah because He has commanded us to do it,

“I urge beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items in order to become givers of zakat and sadaqat,” Aja said.

He decried alleged exclusion and discrimination of Muslims in political appointments and empowerment programmes under the current  the Ebonyi state government.

He urged Muslim faithful to vote for political leaders that would protect their interest in the 2019 general elections.

The Executive Director of Z&SF, Mr Suleiman Olagunji, while distributing the empowerment materials,  explained that the programme was aimed at maximising growth opportunities among the less privileged and support them to reach their full potentials.

He said that Islam is committed to universal brotherhood and peace,  saying that the programme was part of efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

Olagunji urged beneficiaries to use the machines for the purpose for which they requested for them in order to lift themselves from the clutches of poverty.

“The rate of poverty in the society is killing and we must do everything possible to address the poverty level.

“When you give zakat, you will receive the double of whatever you have given because it is more blessed to give than to receive and Allah has commanded us to do this.

“Muslim believes in taken from the rich to give to the poor and needy and so what we are doing today is to give to our poor brothers and sisters through empowering them to be self-reliant and self-sustained.

“As little as it is convenient for you, take a little and give to the poor and by so doing you will practice love,” Olagunji said.

Z&SF foundation later distributed seven butterfly brand of sewing machines, two giant grinding machines, two washing machines, a deep freezer, lap top computers and printers to 11 beneficiaries,  while 33 persons received cash.

Mr Abdulraham Ede and Miss Memunat Usman, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended the foundation and promised that they would use the items judiciously to enhance their economic status. (NAN)

ODO/GOMTA
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Tajudeen Atitebi

High population growth rate reduces impact of economic growth – Udoma

Growth

By Lucy Nwachukwu

Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, said the nation’s high population growth rate was hindering the impact of economic growth.

Udoma said, at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Federal Government was working hard to increase the rate of Nigeria’s economic growth to meet the needs of the rising population.

“We have a lot more work to do because our population is growing at about three per cent, so unless we are growing at more than four per cent we will not really be able to feel the impact.

“So that is why we (the government) have to work even harder to get growth at the level which we want.

“We have to work much harder to get particularly agriculture which is the main stay and where over 20 per cent of the GDP comes from.

“It is also important that we work hard on issues that have to do with oil production, because we have to fire on all the indices,’’ he said.

Udoma said the reason for the reduced GDP growth in the second quarter was insecurity in agricultural belt and decline in oil production.

He said the government was, however, working hard to resolve the issues of insecurity to allow free movement in the country.

“We are of course concerned now with the flooding, a natural phenomenon, and we are also seeking to address the problem.

“The good news is that non-oil sector actually has been growing, the second quarter was 2.05 per cent and so we are encouraged by that growth.

On the ERGP, the minister said the government would continue to work hard to ensure it achieved the objectives of the plan as it was the focus of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He reiterated the achievements of the ERGP to include the country exiting recession, increased foreign reserves and export, which brought confidence to the country.

On the 2018 budget, Udoma said the Acting Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had promised to focus on that and in no time we should start seeing remittance.

Also the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, urged the Federal Government to ensure a conducive environment for foreign capital to flow into the country.

Jaiyeloa said: “Our point as private sector is that as much as possible, everything should be done so that we do not discourage foreign capital flow into Nigeria.

“In as much as we encourage the people coming in to abide by the laws of the land, we want people to bring in capital.

“And we will continue to work with the government to make sure that the environment for foreign capital flows is made very easy so that investors can come.

“We plead that as government begins to deal with infractions it should make sure that it is done in a way that it does not injure the economy or deter people from coming. (NAN)

LCN/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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

Declare cancer national emergency, Foundation urges FG
By Chinenye Offor
Cancer
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Executive Director, Project Pink Blue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, has urged the Federal Government to declare cancer as a national emergency and establish more centres with functional for cancer management.
Chidebe made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said cancer should be made a national issue in terms of awareness creation, funding and creation of more cancer screening facilities in the country to reduce deaths and long queues witnessed at screening centres.
Chidebe said that the foundation was raising more public awareness and educating policy makers on the scourge and how it could be reduced.
He described the increased rate of cancer in Nigeria as pathetic, saying the country records “over 100,000 new cases and about 72,000 deaths annually’’.
The executive director said cancer as a major public health issue for Nigeria needed to be treated as a national problem, adding that “without intervention from government the figures will increase’’
“Nigeria has all the manpower and some equipment in diagnosing cancer but we need the government to make cancer screening a national health priority.
“Late diagnosis is one of the factors that kill people; we encourage people to go for regular screening of cervical, breast and prostate cancer.
“Some cancers are preventable so we encourage people to make life style changes exercise regularly, eat more of vegetables and reduce weight if overweight,’’ he said.
Chidebe also urged the federal government to give more training to Oncologists and other healthcare providers in order to improve their capacity to work effectively.
“Without government intervention, the figures will increase; it is a major public health issue for Nigeria that needed to be treated as a national problem,’’ he said.
Ms Theodora Zita, a survivor of breast cancer, also Nigerians to get tested for cancer and stressed that early detection was key to survival.
According to her, lack of proper information and access to health screening facilities are contributory factors to the increased of deaths from the disease.
Zita also said that creating awareness was important in the fight against cancer.
“People should be informed about cancer that it is not a death sentence and starting treatment early, if diagnosed of it, also increases chance of survival.
“I encourage anyone suffering from any form of cancer to start treatment immediately.
“Stop saying it is not my portion, stop going from one prayer house to the other, you can be praying while taking the treatment,” she said.
Besides, the survivor called on stakeholders and policy makers to create more awareness on cancer to help fight the scourge. (NAN)
CSO/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Support
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of Saturday ’s governorship election in Osun, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Osogbo canvassed support for the  All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 13 APC governors, APC National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole,  as well as ministers and members of the National Assembly joined the president at the party’s mega rally held at the Osogbo City Stadium.

In his remarks, the president described  Osun as an  APC state and urged residents of the state to continue to support the party.

Buhari, who charged the people of the state not to return Osun to the dark days, also appealed to them to vote massively for APC during the election.

He also said that his administration was committed to the completion of all the ongoing federal road projects in the state.

The president, who specifically cited the  Gbongan-Ibadan road, Ejigbo, Ondo/Ife road as well as the Ojikutu bridge,  said his administration would continue to complete strategic projects in Osun and other states.

The president further  said that his administration would continue to ensure that the country was free of corruption.

“Nigeria must be free from corrupt and selfish leaders and our administration will continue to do that,’’ Buhari said.

In his remarks, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola  expressed optimism that APC would win the governorship election.

Aregbesola said that the achievements of his administration would ensure victory for the party.

“We are winning the election on Saturday and we shall sing the song of victory.

“God will support us to win the election because we have worked hard to develop the state.

“We have changed the face of Osun and by God’s grace, Oyetola shall return as governor-elect come Sept. 22 and he shall be sworn-in as the governor,’’ Aregbesola said.

Also speaking, Gov. Nasir el-Rufai  of Kaduna State, who spoke on behalf of APC governors, commended Aregbesola for his various achievements in the state.

El-Rufai said all the 13 APC governors who came for the rally were behind the success of the APC candidate, adding that they would ensure the APC emerged victorious in the election.

He commended the president for giving all the governors an enabling environment to develop their states.

” We are proud of Aregbesola’s administration and we are convinced that people of the state will vote for Oyetola,’’ he said.

In his remarks, National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said members of the party were proud to testify to the development of the state by  Aregbesola.

Tinubu said that with Aregbesola’s achievements, victory was certain for Oyetola.

“Aregbesola has done us proud and with his various achievements, we shall win the election on Saturday.

“Oyetola is a trusted, tested and intelligent person who will move the state forward when elected.

” The electorate will vote and APC will win, ‘’ Tinubu said.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman, urged residents of the state to come out en masse to vote for Oyetola on Saturday.

Oshiomhole, who described Oyetola as a very intelligent person, said Osun would witness more development if he was elected.

” At a  time like this, we need people with brain and passion and not an apprentice.

” We need people of character and commitment and Oyetola possesses these qualities.

“We need intelligent people and not apprentice and that is where Oyetola will have the advantage.

” I am convinced that workers in this state will not support any other person except  Oyetola and we are sure of victory,’’ he said. (NAN)
VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Lagos APC formally receives ex-PDP bigwig, Adiukwu-Bakare, others

Defection

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Lagos Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Tunde Balogun, on Tuesday said the recent defections of bigwigs of other parties to the APC was a measure of the growing confidence in the party.

Balogun made the statement in Ikeja, at the official reception for an ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwig, Mrs Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, and her supporters into APC.

Adiukwu-Bakare, a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, had in June announced her exit from the PDP to join APC in her Oshodi-Isolo political base.

At a colourful ceremony to receive the defector and her teeming followers, Balogun said that Lagos State was transforming to a one -party state with the coming of defectors.

The party chairman said the coming of Adiukwu-Bakare, a few days after a former Chairman of the party, Mr Moshood Salvador officially joined the party, was a big plus for the party.

Balogun described the former commissioner as an accomplished politician who would add great value to the party.

“People are moving into our party because of the growing confidence in APC

“This is the party to be; this is the party that means well for the people. This is the party of development.

“Just on Saturday, a former Chairman of the PDP, Mr Moshood Salvador, officially joined us; here today, we are having another big fish in Mrs Adiukwu-Bakare.

“Tell me what remains of PDP; very soon, we will obliterate PDP from the state political map,” he said.

Balogun commended Adiukwu-Bakare for her decision to dump PDP for the APC, saying she would not regret joining ‘the party of progressives’.

The party chairman promised that the defector, along with her teeming supporters, would be accorded all the rights and privileges of existing members.

In her remarks, Adiukwu-Bakare said she was delighted to be back in the fold of APC with her supporters.

The politician said her coming to APC was motivated by the development the party had brought to the state and the positive politics of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the party.

“I also came to the APC because of Alhaji Balogun, the party chairman, who plays pure and progressive politics.

“I have known him for long. He is a simple and a fair person and I thought it would be great to be in APC and partner with him for progress,” she said.

Adiukwu-Bakare promised to do her best and mobilise members to improve the electoral fortunes of her new party.

The politician said the APC lost in Oshodi-Isolo, her political base, in 2015 because she worked against the ruling party.

She said her defection meant that PDP was completely dead in the area.

The politician said she was confident that APC would win the Sept 22 elections in Osun and urged party members to continue to work for the progress of the party.

NAN reports that the National Chairman of Mega Party of Nigeria, Mr Dare Falade, and the state Chairman of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr Tajudeen Yunus, also officially joined the APC at the ceremony.

They were welcome into the party along with their supporters and followers.

NAN reports that Balogun later handed over the APC flag to Adiukwu-Bakare and other defectors at the ceremony.

It was a carnival-like atmosphere at the party secretariat as party members sang and danced in celebration of the defections.

A popular Fuji artist, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi (Pasuma), was on hand to entertain party members and other visitors. (NAN)
BHB/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NSE closes on upbeat, market indices up 0.55%

Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on a postive note on Tuesday with Nestle leading the price gainers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market indicators appreciated marginally by 0.55 per cent growth.

The market capitalisation rose N65 billion or 0.55 per cent to close at N11.821 trillion against N11.756 trillion recorded on Monday.

The All-Share Index appreciated by 179.02 points or 0.55 per cent to close higher at 32,381.00 from the 32,201.98 posted on Monday.

Nestle led the price gainers’ table with a gain of N30.50 to close at N1,380.50 per share.

Forte Oil followed with a gain of N1 to close at N20 per share.

FBN Holdings and Zenith Bank improved by 55k each to close at N8.75 and N20.75 per share, respectively.

On the other hand, Nigerian Breweries topped the price losers’ chart, shedding N2 to close at N90 per share.

Nascon trailed with a loss of 65k to close at N18.60, while Redstarex declined by 45k to close at N4.50 per share.

GTBank was down by 25k to close at N33.70, while Cileasing lost 15k to close at N3 per share.

The volume of shares traded rose by 67.94 per cent, while value of shares transacted increased by 23.25 per cent.

NAN reports that investors traded a total of 269.814 million shares valued at N2.65 billion in 4,705 deals.

This was against the 160.665 million shares worth N2.15 billion exchanged in 2,935 deals on Monday.

Access Bank was the most active stock, exchanging 84.95 million shares worth N1.29 billion in 124 deals.

Zenith Bank followed with 16.43 million shares valued at N236.04 million in 330 deals, while Sterling Bank traded 11.67 million shares worth N210.42 million in 1,318 deals.

International Breweries sold 10.29 million shares valued at N23.71 million in 9 deals, while Wema Bank exchanged 8.65 million shares worth N56.14 million in 48 deals. (NAN)

LUC/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

2019 Election: Atiku vows to end nepotism, if elected as president

Atiku
Jos, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will end nepotism, ethnicity and religious fanaticism in Nigeria, if elected president in 2019.

Atiku stated this in Jos on Tuesday while addressing party faithful and supporters at the party’s state secretariat.

While wooing the delegates, he pledged to unite the country, if elected, adding that his administration would not be an era for promoting religious, tribal or ethnic interests or showcasing outright nepotism.

“If I eventually get the ticket of our party and become president, I will end nepotism, ethnicity and religious fanaticism which we are presently facing.

“I am urging you delegates to vote for me during the primaries; I want to give you the Nigeria that you deserve; my administration, if elected, would not be an era for promoting religious interest.

“It will not be an administration for promoting interest on tribal or ethnic lines or showcasing outright nepotism; it will be an era of uniting the people and bringing everyone together.”

The presidential aspirant appealed to party leaders and delegates in the state to support his bid to clinch the party’s ticket during its primary election.

He stressed that he possessed the political, economic and administrative strength to lead Nigeria from poverty to prosperity.

In a remark, the state party Chairman, Mr Damishi Sango, who welcomed the entourage, urged Atiku and other aspirants to work hard to ensure unity in the party after the presidential primaries.

On Atiku’s entourage were former Ogun governor Gbenga Daniel and Sen. Abdul Ningi among others. (NAN)
ADY/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Crisis

Enugu, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Enugu State on Tuesday sealed the Enugu office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following ongoing leadership tussle between the two factions of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the office reports that a police squad led by the Commissioner, Mohammed Danmallam cordoned the office and prevented movement in and out of the party house on Nike Avenue, GRA, Enugu.

NAN reports that the factional group led by Mr Okey Ogbodo was holding a meeting in the office when another faction led by Dr Ben Nwoye attempted to scuttle the meeting.

The quick intervention of the police stationed at the venue saved the situation from degenerating into a violent clash.

The Ogbodo-led group later moved to a transport office company on Abakaliki Road and continued its meeting amidst tight security.

Speaking with NAN on the crisis, Ogbodo claimed that he was the recognised chairman of APC in Enugu State by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Adams Oshiomole after the failed congress in the state.

According to him, the faction led by Ben Nwoye had been declared illegal by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and the court.

“Ben Nwoye’s faction is illegal and you need be told this based on our National Chairman’s declaration and the court’s restraining order to Ben to stop parading himself as Chairman.

“My assumption of the State Chairman of the party is a product of the state congress held in 19th May.

“In as much as another congress has not held afterwards to select another chairman, no one has the right to claim chairmanship position of APC in the state.

“The decision of the congress is what is recognised by enforcement agencies and upheld by the law,” he said.

Ogbodo however, said those thinking the rift in the party currently would reduce the chances of the party in the state during the forthcoming election were wrong.

“We are suing for peace and as soon as we reconcile with the other faction, we will become one and will come out stronger and better.

“Politics is all about conflict and conflict resolution. What is happening in the state is not new. It happens everywhere,” he noted.

The chairman disclosed that the party would adopt a direct system of primaries in the state.

He added that the essence of the gathering of party loyalists was to distribute materials that would set the conduct of the primaries in motion.

“I have told party chairmen and their secretaries at the ward level to update the register of members.

“Primaries will begin immediately after we receive the guidelines from Abuja today or tomorrow,” the Chairman said.

Ogbodo also disclosed that five aspirants had already shown interest to run for governorship position under the platform of APC.

“In addition, three candidates have shown interest to clinch the Senatorial ticket from Enugu North, four candidates for Enugu West and three for Enugu East’’.

He said a lot of candidates had bought forms for House of Representatives and National Assembly under his leadership adding that he would have to check the records to get the actual figures.

He enjoined members to embrace activities that would help the party win election and shun all forms of disunity perpetuated by individuals or groups.

Efforts to reach Dr Nwoye failed as his phones were switched off.

Meanwhile, NAN gathered that an APC chieftain, Chief Jim Nwobodo has summoned an emergency meeting of all stakeholders apparently to look into the crisis. (NAN)

AED/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu