Blog

NUJ

By Benson Ezugwu

Calabar, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Waheed Odusile, has cautioned presidential aspirants for the union’s October election  to shun campaign of character assassination.

Odusile, who is seeking re-election, gave the caution on Tuesday in Calabar when he led members of his campaign team to the Cross River Council of NUJ.

“I am indeed very sad the way the campaign for the forthcoming election is going. Some of our colleagues have taken to character assassination just to achieve their goals.

“It is not healthy for our profession.

“I am appealing to our colleagues for the forthcoming conference to behave and confine themselves within the best practices of democratic norms. Election will come and go but NUJ remains,” he said.

The NUJ president said that as a leader, he would not fold his hands and watch people denigrate his character because of election.

He urged journalists and the delegates to the conference to stick to facts rather than fabricated lies when making their choice of candidates for the election.

“As journalists, we should stick to facts. I call on Nigerian journalists to reject candidates who campaign on the basis of blackmail.

“Let us behave as gentlemen of the press. NUJ belongs to us all; nobody should destroy another in order to succeed, ‘’ he said.

Odusile said that NUJ under his leadership achieved a lot in the past three years, including the movement of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to its permanent site in Mabushi Abuja.

“The NUJ television station (Fair Press TV) is in the pipe line and we will begin transmission very soon, ‘’ he said.

He solicited the support of the Cross River council of the union for his re-election bid “so that I can continue to serve NUJ ’’. (NAN)

BEN/AAB/EMO
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Ejike Obeta

Rescue
By Bosede Olufunmi
Kano, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Fire Service on Tuesday rescued a 21-year-old man, Ukasha Musa, from a high tension mast which supply light to Niger Republic at Gwazaye in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano state.

Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, the Service Public Relations Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that Musa was trapped on the mast after climbing it.

“We received a distress call today (Tuesday) from Mustapha Wada, who was passing by at about 01:40p.m.

“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team and a vehicle to the scene at about 01:52p.m,’’ he said.

According to him, Musa is rescued alive and handed over to the police for further investigations.

Mohammed said that the victim seem to have climbed the mast as a result of depression.

He advised the public to avoid lifestyles capable of triggering suicide that is a crime.(NAN)
BO/IS
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NRC urges FCT residents to stay off rail tracks to avoid mishap
Rail
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018(NAN)The Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) on Tuesday advised residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stay away from the Abuja-Kaduna rail track to avoid mishap.
NRC Managing Director, Mr Fidet Okhiria, disclosed in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.
NAN recalls that on Sept. 15, an Abuja-bound train with registration number KA4 had crushed a woman to death shortly after it left the Kubwa station for Idu terminal.
Speaking on the incident, Okhiria confirmed the death of the woman.
“A train on high speed can’t stop immediately, because it needs about 1200 meters before it can stop, this is the general rule all over the world.
“It is a serious crime for people to walk on rail track, it is a felony, anyone who walks on the track want to commit suicide and there is nothing that can be done at that point.
“The fencing is still ongoing, we have not finished, walking on track is like walking on the express way, if anyone dies on the track, the family will be surcharged before they can recover the corpse.
“We have been doing advocacy for people not to work on the track which is still ongoing,” he said.
Speaking on the death of 50 cows on Sept. 9, on the track, he said the owners of the cows said they were deceived that train don’t operate on Sunday’s which led to the incident.
“Unfortunately they were on the bridge with no room for escape when the train got to the area on speed,’’ he said.(NAN)
TY/ABI
Edited by Ali Inuwa

Participation of women in internet governance key to development

Internet
By Constance Imasuen
Abuja, Sept 18, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Mary Uduma, the Chairperson, Internet Governance Forum (IGF) says active participation of women in the internet process is key to the development of any nation.

Uduma made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the first Women Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria organised by the Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITAD).

The programme is supported by Association for Progressive Communication (APC).

She said that inclusiveness of women and acquisition of the knowledge of the Internet was key to their development.

“And these are the things the forum wants the women to be part of in the internet governance process.’’

She said that to bridge the gap, the forum drew up women focus programmes to enable them express themselves, participate fully and voice up their opinions.

“The essence of this meeting is for capacity building and for bringing information to the women and showing them the areas they have right and authority to speak out.

“And for them to participate in the development process, the internet is the platform as this is the enabler for everybody to be inclusive.

“This programme is the first step of involving women in internet governance.

“We have brought women together, spoken to them, stimulated them and educated them to know they have a platform to voice out their minds,’’ she said.

Prof. Amina Kaidal, a board member of CITAD said that the focus for the programme was to bring women together to identify problems hindering them from the internet process.

Kaidal, who is also a lecturer at University of Maiduguri said that the forum would strategise on how to improve internet accessibility for women.

Maryam Haruna Programme Officer, Gender and Internet CITAD said the over the years the organisation had been struggling for gender inclusion in Nigeria, especially in the northern part.

Haruna said that CITAD discovered that women participation in IGF was very low and this was what prompted the organisation to organise the forum to bring up issues concerning gender challenges in internet and online.

“The forum aimed at bridging gender gaps in accessing information and Internet policies, especially as it affects Nigerian women.

“So that is why we brought women from government, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), Academia, private sector to discuss the challenges and proffer solutions,’’ she said.

Ms Ene Ede, the Gender and Social Inclusion Adviser, Search for Common Ground, an NGO, a participant said that access to internet was like “having the world on your palm’’.

“If the women have the world on their palms, it would be a better place as internet is virtually everything and huge platform of engagement.

“If women are left out of this engagement, the world will not be good for development to take place and for everybody to participate equally, women need to be in the cyberspace.

Another participant, Miss Hassana Ibrahim of Women Will, an initiative of Google for Women said that the programme was apt as CITAD was trying to involve more women in decision making of how the internet should be used.

“You notice that decision making is about male and women are excluded so, bringing more women to participate in Internet is a very good idea,’’ she said. (NAN)
COA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Drugs
By Mercy Osajiugo
Zungeru (Niger), Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Niger State has distributed  drugs to more than 600 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Central Primary School, Zungeru, to meet their medical needs.

The Chairman of the state chapter, Dr Abubakar Jibril, made this known to newsmen during a medical team’s visit to the IDPs camp on Tuesday.

He said the association was moved to action because of the health challenges that followed the flooding of Shiroro Local Government Area.

“This is what prompted us to give our own little assistance to these people. We would have done more than this; we thought of mounting a medical caravan on this camp and stay for like one week and treat the IDPs for free on numerous health challenges.

“But our primary assignment will suffer and medical logistics will not permit us to do all what we have in mind as we are really constrained.”

He noted that the common ailments at the camp were malaria, cough, common cold and diarrhoea.

“It is not all of them that will adhere to using the treated mosquito net and that is why there could be malaria prevalence.

“We have just been told that there are no functional toilets; they defecate everywhere; with this, flies that come from there will cause them diarrhoea.

“Infectious diseases such as respiratory, common cold and cholera could thrive here because it is difficult to control the hygiene of this place.

Jibril said that besides malaria, respiratory infection drugs, the team also was also distributing anti-ulcer drugs because most of the IDPs might have ulcers as they might not be eating well.

“Some of them may also develop psychological depression because of the trauma they are passing through.

“Some of them may come also down with hypertension even heart disease because of the trauma of displacement”

He commended the Niger Government for its intervention since the relocation of the IDPs from local government.

Earlier, the Camp Manager, Hajiya Saratu Waziri, expressed gratitude to NMA for complementing the efforts of the state government in the past one week.

“On behalf of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), I want to say that this will go a long way for the IDPs.”

Waziri said that the state was putting appropriate measures in place to ensure that the Central Primary School pupils and teachers returned in the nearest future.

Meanwhile, Malam Mohammed Gimba, the Director, Primary Healthcare, Wushishi Local Government, said the health challenges facing the IDPs had been curtailed.

He stressed the need for appropriate measures to be put in place to ensure that the IDPs leave their current camp so that the pupils and teachers of the Central Primary School could return. (NAN)
MNO/OSA/NKO
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Application
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Doctors on Call Health Support Initiative, an NGO, on Tuesday unveiled e-medical transport mobile app known as Amba to provide health emergency services in the country.

Dr Adejobi Adeloye, the Chief Executive Office of the organisation at the official unveiling in Abuja said the app would bridge the gap between incidence and primary care.

Adeloye explained that the application was the first emergency aggregator system fully poised to reducing maternal mortality, downtime in ambulance and fire service response.

He said that it would provide employment for Nigerians and improve the overall emergency response in the country.

According to him, after the official launch of the app on Oct. 1, it will start operation in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

He stated that after sometimes, it would be expanded to Port Harcourt, Enugu and Ibadan.

The chief executive noted that the new app would be available on playstore in android phones and its user-friendly.

Adeloye said that the app would eliminate man-made delays, adding that it was fast and efficient on demand for car emergency service.

He stated that the organisation would it’s drivers on how to provide first aid, resuscitate patients and other essential emergency health services. (NAN)
MS/AAB/IS
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Edited by Adeboye Ajayi/Ismail Abdulaziz

Commendation
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan,  Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The President of the  Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Prof.  Sunday Okeniyi, has commended agencies of the Federal Government on the campaign against substandard as well as fake drugs and chemical products.

Okeniyi gave the commendation at the 41^st Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The News agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the forum  had as theme:  ‘Chemical Sciences in an Emerging Economy: Issues, Prospects and Opportunities.’’

Okeniyi also commended the Federal Government for recognising the relevance of chemistry and the involvement of professional chemists to promote inter disciplinary cooperation.

“We wish to publicly acknowledge the good intentions of the office of the National Security Adviser and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on chemical security and safety toward  a secured importation, distribution, storage and use of chemicals in Nigeria.

“The 2018 conference has a significant potential to define the seriousness of  chemists in their avowed role to contribute positively to the issues, prospects and opportunities in utilising chemical science to enhance growth and development of global economies.

“As the world gradually comes to terms with the challenges of global economies downturn and its attendant effects, the onus for the survival of developing countries like Nigeria lies in the ambit of professionals in the areas of Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy Science and Technology,’’ he said.

The keynote speaker at the occasion, Prof.  Eno Ebenso, emphasised the role of chemists in addressing security challenges as well as in standardisation in practices for global competitiveness.

Ebenso, who spoke on ‘Chemical Sciences in an Emerging Economy: What the Future Holds,’ called for standardisation of the university curriculum to meet emerging global needs.

The don, who works with North West University, South Africa, also said standardisation would help address issues of safety and security in Nigeria. (NAN)
IBK/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Empowerment
By Sunday John
Lafia, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) An NGO, Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) said it has empowered 86,885 vulnerable children in Nasarawa State with cash and skill acquisition.

Mr Emeka Anoje, Head of the organisation made the disclosure at an event marking the closing of its project in the state on Tuesday in Lafia.

Anoje disclosed that the group commenced operation in the state in 2013, adding that the beneficiaries were drawn from 22,259 households in 10 local government areas of the state.

He listed the local governments areas as Lafia, Obi, Keanan, Doma, Nassarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, Keffi, Karu, Nasarawa and Toto.

“Our project has provided support for children in the areas of HIV care and support, cash support, child registration and they were trained on various vocational skills.

“We also worked tirelessly in increasing school enrolment especially for girl child and improved parents/children relationship among others,” he said.

Anoje added that the organisation also partnered the state government in ensuring the successful launch of a document to end violence against children in the state.

He urged beneficiaries of the various skills to make good use of the knowledge acquired to enrich themselves and others in the society.

Earlier, Ene Obi, Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria, commended United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for funding the programme.

Obi added that they would continue to empower vulnerable children by giving them hope in order to make their lives worthwhile.

On her part, Mrs Asibi Ogabo, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, thanked the group for putting smile on the faces of the children.

She said government would partner any organisation engaged in activities that would improve the living condition of women and children in the state. (NAN)
SDJ/AZA/IS
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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Ismail Abdulaziz

Erosion

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Benin, Sept. 18, 2018(NAN) Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Tuesday, said the State Government would soon carry out intervention work in three gully erosion-prone communities of Iguosa, Evbuotubu and Erhumwunse.within Benin metropolis.

Obaseki gave the assurance in a statement by Mr Crusoe Osagie, his Special Adviser on Media and Communication which was made available to the News Agency if Nigeria(NAN) in Benin.

The governor said other affected communities to enjoy the palliative included Queen Ede in Ikpoba Okha Local government area and some others in Auchi axis of Edo North senatorial district.

He assured residents of the communities that the intervention work would be carried out in phases, saying that the state government was not oblivious of the worrying situation in the communities.

Obaseki disclosed that the state government was partnering with the World Bank’s Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to provide succour to some of the affected communities.

According to him, “We are working with partners to ensure that the affected communities are salvaged.

“There are extensive projects in Auchi, Ewu, Ibore as well as Queen Ede. A good number of them have been finished and the people are better off with the projects.

“We appeal to residents in Iguosa, Evbuotubu and Erhumwunse to be patient as we are making plans to also intervene in their communities.

“We understand the apprehension by the people residing in these communities. I want to assure them that we have them in our plans.

“We urge the people in these communities to be hopeful, understanding that just as we have dealt with the gully erosion sites in Ibore, Ewu and others, we will also get to them,” he said.

The governor noted that his administration would efficiently manage the state’s resources for the benefit of the people. (NAN)

KOO/EMO

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Edited by Ejike Obeta

Farmers
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) An NGO, Pyxera Global YieldWise Nigeria Project, has registered more than  27,000 tomato farmers in its database in Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states as part of efforts  to strengthen the tomato value chain.

The  Project Director of the initiative, Mr Lekan Tobe,  disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting in Kano on Tuesday.

The YieldWise project, which is being funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, is aimed at reducing post harvest loss for tomato in the country.

He said the project had also been able to train the aggregated farmers on improved agronomic practices and post-harvest management as well as link the tomato farmers to alternative buyers and processors among others.

Tobe said the capacity building was aimed at introducing improved and good agricultural practices for better yields.

“We also want to ensure there is coordination among stakeholders in the value chain,” the project director added.

According to him, the project has introduced 16 affordable technologies such as zero energy clean chambers to hold the tomatoes before being transported to markets.

He lamented that due to lack of market access, poor handling practices and bad road networks, most of the tomatoes never make it to the markets.

Tobe called on the Federal Government to ensure that the ban on importation of tomato was enforced to save farmers from going out of the business.

Also speaking, the Vice President, Nigeria Agri-business Group, Chief Emmanuel Ijewere,  called on federal and state governments to support tomato farmers by establishing aggregate centres and cold rooms to enable them to store the commodity before disposal.

In his remarks,  the Secretary-General of the Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sani Danladi-Yadakwari,  urged farmers to embrace the newly introduced plastic crate for transportation of the commodity to other parts of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the meeting was attended by  stakeholders,  including representatives of federal and state ministries of agriculture as well as operators in the private sector (NAN)
MTM/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)