Blog

Hinterlands
By Aisha Cole
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The International Africa Ports and Harbour (IAPH), on Tuesday, called for the construction of rail routes to link Nigeria with the landlocked countries to achieve maximum volume of cargo transshipment.

Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, the IAPH’s Vice President, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing First Regional Conference of IAPH in Abuja.

According to her, the Nigerian government has already embarked on massive deployment of rails across the country, which would link all ports location.

She stressed the need for transshipment of cargo and for Nigeria to address those gaps of not being able to capture the maximum volume of cargo meant for transshipment.

“We have a policy position that the government has taken that all ports must have rail connection and there is the need to utilise barges by using inland waterways.

“The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has planned ahead in the Lekki axis because we do not want the challenges that obtain in Apapa port area to happen in Lekki Deep seaport.

“We have mandated rail connection to the Lekki area and we have discussed with Dangote Group on the need to have pipelines to evacuate the liquid bulk as the company concludes on its refinery and the fertiliser plants in Lekki,’’ Bala-Usman said.

She said that NPA had made submissions to the Federal Government on the Lekki bypass to avoid traffic congestion in the next five to 10 years.

The managing director said, “Lagos State is constructing another access road for Lekki area.’’

Bala-Usman, who is also the Managing Director of NPA, said that the authority encouraged the use of barges starting from Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

She said that NPA was also providing seamless approval across the board to various companies that intended to use barges.

Bala-Usman described Nigeria as a great nation with huge volume of cargo, adding that Nigeria would continue to be the destination for cargo. (NAN)
AIC/ AOM/AFA
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Felix Ajide

Ships
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Twenty ships are discharging petroleum products and other commodities at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos.

A statement by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Tuesday revealed that three of the ships would discharge petrol.

It explained that the other 16 ships would discharge buckwheat, general cargo and diesel.

The statement added that other products to be discharged included aviation fuel, frozen fish, soya beans and bulk fertiliser.
AIC/IS
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UNDP, Norwegian Govt. train NSCDC officers in ADR

Training
By Kelechi Ogunleye
Keffi (Nasarawa), Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have commenced the training of officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Dr Stephen Faleti, the Lead Facilitator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the opening ceremony in Keffi on Monday, that the exercise was aimed at boosting the capacity of the NSCDC Peace Desk Officers nationwide.

NAN reports the two-week training in which about 200 officers were participating, would end on Sept. 28.

Faleti noted that the training was a follow-up to a similar programme held in 2013.

He reiterated the need for continuous and concerted training of new and old officers because of the gap between the current ratio of trained peace officers and the Nigerian population.

“If you recall, last year alone, over 14,000 civil cases were settled by NSCDC Peace officers.

“In the process, over N100 million was saved and recovered from parties settling their disputes without going to court.

“Now, this is a process we feel should be continued and peace officers should be encouraged to do more.

“Even though this is something that started since 2013, this year’s training is an upgrade of what we had done previously.

“For instance, this year we are going to add other components such emotional intelligence, even for the peace makers.

“You need emotional intelligence not only to be able to help people settle their conflicts, but also you require that skill to do well in dispute settlement.

“We will also be comparing notes on how the peace officers have been doing their job, and the challenges they face.

`We intend to offer suggestions on how they can overcome some of the challenges they come across in their everyday intervention scenarios,” he said.

In a separate interview, Zakari Ningi, the Assistant Commandant-General (Training) in the command, told NAN that the NSCDC, in partnership with UNDP, had since 2014 engaged in progressive collaborations.

He said that the step had led to the strengthening of the capacity of the corps’ Peace Officers nationwide.

“It may interest you to know that this collaboration between the NSCDC and UNDP actually started in 2013. Since then, over 200 peace officers have been trained throughout the country.

“In 2017 alone, over 13,000 varieties of conflicts were handled and successfully mediated to the satisfaction of the disputants.

“Apart from that also, over 50 chartered mediators and conciliators have been trained.’’

He thanked the UNDP and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support in ensuring that the officers were adequately trained.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the UNDP and also acknowledge the assistance we received from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We want to assure them that the NSCDC will continue to do its best in ensuring that we explore the possibility of settling disputes without really going into litigation,” he said. (NAN)
KAYC/JTJ/NKO
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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede Nkechi Okoronkwo

ICRC condemns midwife’s murder, appeals to abductors to spare healthcare workers

Murder
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Sept.17, 2018(NAN) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday condemned the tragic killing of its abducted staff, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, in the North-East in March.

Eleojo Akpa, the ICRC Communications and Media Relations officer disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

Akpa said the organisation had further appealed to the armed group to immediately release a second ICRC midwife and a healthcare worker who were also abducted in March.

Eloi Fillion, the Head, ICRC delegation in Abuja was quoted in the statement as saying:“`We are devastated by the murder of our colleague, Saifura.

“Saifura moved to Rann to selflessly help those in need. Our thoughts are with her family and other loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“At the time of their abduction, Saifura, as well as our colleague, Hauwa Mohammed Liman, and Alice Loksha, a nurse with UNICEF-supported centre, were providing essential ante-natal care to communities in Rann.

“Rann’s population has more than doubled after an influx of people fleeing violence,’’ he said.

Fillion, however, urged the abductors still holding Hauwa and Alice to release them as they were not part of the fight.

According to him, Hauwa is a midwife while Alice is a nurse, adding that they are daughters, a wife, and a mother, with families that depend on them.

“Their families and friends miss them dearly and will not give up hope of seeing them again soon; there is no ideology or religious law that could justify doing any harm to them.

“Saifura, 25, was a devoted mother and midwife. Those who knew her said she adored her two children, a two-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.

“The children have not been able to comprehend their mother’s absence, as they frequently asked their grandmother if a passing plane was bringing their mother home.

“That grandmother must now find the words to tell the two children their mother will never return.

“However, ICRC would not comment on the identity of the women’s abductors, their motives or the details surrounding Saifura’s death,’’ Fillion said.

He noted that since the women’s abduction six months ago, ICRC had made sustained and committed efforts to securing the release of the three health care workers.

Fillion added that the organisation would continue to make efforts in ensuring that Hauwa and Alice were released and returned to their families immediately. (NAN)
TIM/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Nasarawa Govt. prioritises child abuse

Abuse
By Sunday John
Lafia, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government says it has prioritised the issue of child abuse in the state with a view to ending the practice.

Mrs Asibi Ogabu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said this at the public presentation of its “priority plan” on Monday in Lafia.

She said the event followed a more child-friendly document submitted by a committee set up by the ministry in collaboration with critical stakeholders comprising Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

She said that the ministry had a responsibility to follow up reported cases of violence against children, adding that the document would further assist in the efforts to end violence.

The permanent secretary assured children that the government would do everything possible to protect them and ensure that perpetrators of abuse against them, faced the full wrath of the law.

Ogabu, therefore, urged parents and the general public to report cases of violence against children for appropriate sanctions.

Contributing, the Country Director of Actionaid Nigeria, Ms Ene Obi, pledged the readiness of the NGO to partner with the state government in the campaign against child abuse in all ramifications.

Obi said that a survey carried out by her organisation, showed that one out of 10 children in Nigeria suffered either physical, sexual or emotional violence by either family members or persons close to them.

In her remarks, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Salamatu Al-Makura, assured the relevant stakeholders of her support towards seeking justice for children who are victims of abuse.

Al-Makura also promised to tackle practices aimed at perpetrating any kind of violence against children in the state. (NAN)
SDJ/OSA/NKO
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Death of UniAbuja student: NANS demands implementation of health insurance

Insurance
By Angela Atabo
Abuja Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Monday urged the Management of University of Abuja to as a matter of urgency, implement the Tertiary School Health Insurance Programme (TSHIP).

Mr Salahudeen Lukman, the President of NANS, in a statement, criticised the deplorable condition of health facilities in most Nigerian institutions.

Lukman said that many students still received poor medical attention in spite of the fact that school clinics were now hooked to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He attributed the death of Miss Precious Joshua, a 100 level student of the university who died on Sept. 9, to poor implementation of TSHIP.

“The attention of our leadership has been drawn to the slow attitude of management of the university towards security and welfare of students on campus.

“Therefore, we express great dissatisfaction with the management’s approach.

“We received with rude shock the untimely death of one of our students, Precious Joshua of 100 level, Biological Science Department of the university.

“This, we gathered, was due to the inability of the school clinic to offer her emergency treatment; she later died at the university teaching hospital after futile efforts by doctors.’’

Lukman said that it was sad and highly embarrassing that in spite of the mandatory National Health Insurance Policy for students known as TSHIP, students were not reaping the full benefit.

He said that the association had called for immediate investigation into the incident and a reform of the TSHIP operation for effective implementation.

He said that the group also called for the voluntary resignation of Chief Medical Director of the university clinic whose alleged negligence of duty led to the death of the student.

The president further urged the university management to improve the poor state of the hostels, saying that it was one of the major causes of epidemics on campus.

He also stressed the need to beef up security around the institution.

Lukman said that the Student Union Government and the entire University of Abuja community condoled with the immediate family of the deceased on this incident.

He prayed for her soul to rest in perfect peace and fortitude for her loved ones to bear the loss. (NAN)
ATAB/VOE/NKO
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Edited by Vivian Emoni/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Flood: NEMA declares ‘national disaster’ in Kogi, 3 other states

Disasters

By Lizzy Okoji

Lokoja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has declared a ‘national disaster’ in Kogi, Anambra, Delta and Niger, following high levels of flooding in the states.

Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, NEMA Director-General made the declaration during an assessment visit to River Niger on Monday in Lokoja.

Maihaja said that eight other states were also on NEMA’s watch list.

He explained that the states were experiencing the high levels of flooding as a result of heavy rainfall experienced in some parts of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NEMA assessment visit was also to sympathise with residence of Lokoja since the rise of water on the River Niger had started submerging some of their houses and their farm land.

According to Maihaja, the rise in the water level as at Sept. 17, was already 11.06 meter high, hence the need to be proactive before the situation gets out of hand.

Maihaja said that NEMA had been constantly observing the flood situation across the nation since the pronouncement by the National Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) that there was going to be much rain in 2018.

The DG said that the pronouncement by NIHSA made relevant stakeholders in disasters management to have series of meetings in preparation for flood, and thereafter issued a red alert to the states which the flood is likely to affect.

“The increasing rise of the flood make us to put Nigerians on red alert, part of our operational structure is to establish disasters response team across the nation.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated this delegation to do everything possible to curb this disaster situation.

“Lokoja and other Kogi environs seem to be the most threatening state since the rise level of the flood.

“We are sent here today to assess the situation and take informed action to tackle the menace,” Maihaja said.

Maihaja added that some relief materials have already been sent to the states where the flood had been affected to assist the people.

In his response, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr Simon Achuba thanked the NEMA DG and his team for the visit and for providing the relief materials earlier sent to the state.

According to Achuba, the 2018 flooding was coming higher and the devastating effect was likely to be higher than that of the 2012, which submerged most of the communities.

Achuba said that there was no better time to declare a ‘state of emergency’ than now in order to make the people living at the riverine area leave because of the flooding.

“Some of this people living in the riverine area will not leave because of their agricultural activities but we still need to do our part to declare emergency.

“NEMA should look at this and begin to educate people on the dangers of living close to the river.

“The water transport system can be enhanced for people to move out of that area whenever there is flooding,” Achuba said.

The Deputy Governor also called for cordial collaboration between the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and NEMA for effective disaster control.

He added that the SEMA lacked so many equipment to use in disasters which have made their job difficult with little or no impact felt by the people.

Achuba, however, said that the relief materials sent to the state by NEMA would be equitably distributed to the people affected by the flood. (NAN)

LIZ/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

UASC
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).and the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC) in collaboration with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will hold a Sub-Regional Standing Committee Meeting on maritime transport in West and Central Africa.

The Director, Special Duties in NSC, Mr Ignatius Nweke, made this known in Lagos on Monday.

Nweke said that the event would hold between Sept. 25 and 26 in Abuja, adding that the theme of the workshop is: “Port Concession in West and Central Africa; Impact on Economies of Member States of the Sub-region”.

He said that the event was targeted at governments of member states, international and regional organisations and other stakeholders in the Trade and Transport facilitation process in the West and Central Africa Sub-region.

“Among other objectives, the workshop is expected to appraise the state of maritime transportation in West and Central African viz-a-viz other regions of the world and proffer solutons to challenges facing the sector.

“Assess the implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and issues relating to port operations.

“Advocate the development and maintenance of criticial trade support facilities/infrastructure that will promote efficiency, competition and cost reduction in the carriage of goods as well as linkages to other markets.

“Similarly, the workshop would look at the state of maritime transport in West and Central Africa: UNCTAD’s viewpoint; for boosting Intra-African Trade; charges, surcharges and related costs of carriage of goods.

“Also evaluation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Container Weighing regime Verified Gross Mass (VAM) and impact on shipping services/business,” Nweke said in a statement.

According to him, UASC, as a specialised organ of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), comprises 19 shippers’ councils.

Nweke said that the UASC with its headquarters in Douala, Cameroun, comprises three main organs; The General Assembly, Steering Committee and the General Secretariat.

Nweke said the UASC became a member of the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) in September 2010 and maintained close relations with other international organisations, notably; World Trade Organisation (WTO), IMO and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UASC is also a member of the United Nations Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and UNCTAD.

He, however, said that NSC, over the years, under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Transportation hosted the sub-regional workshop on the reduction of the incidence of transport costs on the economies of West and Central African Countries. (NAN)
AIC/IS
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UN Humanitarian Coordinator condemns killing of abducted aid worker in Borno

Killing
By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has condemned the killings of abducted aid worker and midwife, Saifura Hussaini in Borno, North-East Nigeria.

Mrs Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Kallon said that 25-year old Hussaini, a staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was abducted on March 1, in Rann, Borno.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator said that Hussaini was kidnapped alongside two other female aid workers, following a deadly attack by a Non-State Armed Group in which three other aid workers were killed.

“The killing of Ms. Hussaini, a young, dedicated and passionate midwife and humanitarian, is a cowardly, heinous and despicable act.

“Our deepest condolences go to her family, including her two young children, and friends.

“The United Nations calls on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and account.

He called for immediate release of other aid workers, and reiterated commitment of international community to assist the North/East region.

“The United Nations also calls for the immediate release of the two aid workers who are still being held.

“This incident demonstrates the severe challenges that Nigeria continues to face, but will not deter the international community from providing aid to millions of Nigerians caught up in the conflict in the North-East.

“The United Nations stands in solidarity with the humanitarian community,” Kallon said.

He said the humanitarian community is currently providing life-saving assistance, including food, safe water and medicine, to over 60,000 internally displaced people in in Rann Camp and millions more in the region.

He said that about 3,000 aid workers were present in the North-East, majority of who are Nigerian nationals.

Kallon said that the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East, which has spilled into the Lake Chad region, was one of the most severe in the world today.

He said that about 7.7 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in 2018 in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, and 6.1 million were targeted for humanitarian assistance. (NAN)
LIZ/JTJ/AFA
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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Felix Ajide

Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
ABUJA, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that thunderstorms and rainfall activities would prevail over most parts of the country on Tuesday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday, predicted morning thunderstorms and rains over the Central States of Abuja, Bauchi, Lokoja, Yola, Lafia, Gombe, Bida, Minna, Ilorin Kaduna, Taraba and Benue.

It added that there were prospects of thunderstorms across the region with day and night temperatures of 25 to 31 and 15 to 22 respectively.

The agency predicted that partly cloudy to cloudy morning over the northern states with prospects of thunderstorms over Nguru, Damaturu, Dutse, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Gusau Katsina and Kano during the afternoon hours.

It also predicted day and night temperatures in the ranges of 30 to 33 and 22 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively throughout the forecast period.

According to NiMet, Southern States will experience thunderstorms and rains throughout the forecast period with day and night temperatures are expected to be in the range of 29 to 31 and 21 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively. (NAN)
OYS/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide