Blog

NAPTIP advocates engagement of youths in literary skills to curb human trafficking, child labour

NAN-HG-10

Trafficking

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abdulrazak Dangiri, the Acting Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has recommended full engagement of youths through their voices and literary skills to help fight human trafficking.

Dangari said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the European Union Anti-Trafficking Day.

According to him, people living in the rural areas are more at risk of being trafficked due to high level of poverty as such needs sensitisation.

He also stated that NAPTIP and other organisations are involving the youths in the fight against trafficking in persons by organising essay competitions among others.

The acting director-general, who said it was his belief and other stakeholders that if the youths are fully involved through their voices being heard, the menace would be a thing of the past.

He said: “Human trafficking and child abuse requires all hands on deck in order to fight the menace.

“People living in the rural areas are most affected due to poverty and that is why we will be taking the massage down there to create awareness.

“It is our prayer by next year to spread the news beyond Abuja and we are trying to incubate anti human trafficking into schools curricular in Nigeria.

“And in a very short while all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria will be teaching anti- trafficking as part of their programmes.’’

Dangiri added that the agency had put in a place a national and enlightenment programme and campaign which would have anti-trafficking desk officers in the five pandemic areas.

He also solicited that there should be flyers that had NAPTIP logo to use in areas where menace is high.

He listed Edo, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Benue as the most affected states to curb the menace.

He appreciated the European Union and USAIDS, among others, for their efforts in organising the competition.

However, Dangiri urged them to sustain and spread it to other states especially the five states where the menace is prominent. (NAN)

CSO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-AE-15

Food

By Cecilia Odey

Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday said Nigeria had no excuse for the deplorable state of its agriculture sector.
Obasanjo said this at an agriculture seminar in Abuja organised by Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with “Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities’’ as theme.

He said that researches had revealed that about 65 per cent of the country’s population were faced “food insecurity’’.

He called on Nigerians to make the agriculture more attractive, saying that the country had a comparative advantage in the sector and should, therefore, not suffer food shortage.

The former president expressed concern that investment in the sector could not address the food insecurity in the country.

“We must all play our cards either in farming, processing, manufacturing, packaging, and we must put in our best to revamp the sector and address food insecurity in our country.’’

He said that some countries that went through the same challenges as Nigeria had all walked out of the problem , but that Nigeria’s was getting worse.

“We must return to agriculture as a means to increase our food production in Nigeria.

“Between 2015 and 2016, there has been no production of grains in the country to feed ourselves, no fertiliser, and there challenges at all levels of government.

“We have to reflect on how to get back to agriculture and we must get there,’’ he said.

Obasanjo challenged Nigerians to work hard to attain zero hunger level in 2025, adding that farmers should use appropriate technologies for better yields.

He regretted that many farmers in the country were still using hoe and cutlass.

In his address, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to diversifying the nation’s economy through agriculture.

He said that ongoing efforts were expected to largely reduce importation of food items like wheat, rice, fish and sugar.

Ogbeh, who was represented by Alhaji Musibau Azeez, a director in the ministry, said that government was committed to reversing the age-old trend through revitalising agriculture towards innovative re-emergence of its past glory.

Earlier, founder of the NGO, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said that the importance of attainment of national food security could not be over-emphasised.

He said that the challenges of food insecurity had economic and socio-political implications and that it was one of the critical indicators of national power and influence.

Ehigiamusoe said that a nation which depended on food import “as we do today, remains vulnerable in politics of international economic relations’’.

He said that the various initiatives, including the intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through rural finance institutions building programme, among others, must be sustained.

“We need the kind of entrepreneurial spirit which swept through the banking sector in the 90s.

“At LAPO, we have over the years made our strong commitment to funding of activities in the rural economy within our institutional mandate of poverty alleviation.

“We have provided N20.7 billion as agricultural loans to micro and small enterprises engaged in livestock, arable and tree crops farming,’’ he said. (NAN)

COO/JPE/OPI

Edited by Joseph Edeh and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-DS-16
Kidnapping
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Police Command anti-kidnapping squad, has  arrested 11 suspected kidnappers in the notorious Falgore forest in Doguwa local government area of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Kano while briefing newsmen.

He said the squad successfully rescued 10 victims from the suspected kidnappers in the forest.

He added that the kidnappers were arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 11, following intelligence report.

“The anti-kidnapping squad on receipt of intelligence report, launched a major offensive into the notorious criminal camp inside Falgore forest,” he said.

Yusuf said that during the operation which lasted for one hour, the police and the kidnappers exchanged fierce gun duel which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the 10 kidnapped victims.

According to the CP, some of the suspected kidnappers escaped into the thick forest with bullet wounds.

The police boss said that during mop-up operations, two victims, Bello Saleh and Mohammmed Sani of Rafin Kura Village, who were abducted on the same day, were rescued from the forest.

Yusuf listed items recovered from the forest to include one AK- 47 rifle, two fully loaded magazines, 250 rounds of live 7.62 mm ammunition, eight Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, masks and other personal belongings.

He said that all the rescued victims had undergone post trauma counseling and medical examination and would be formally handed over to their respective families.

The CP promised that the squad would to carry out similar operations in the area until all criminals in the forest were completely fished out and brought to book. (NAN)
MTM/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-102
Coronation

By Deborah Ogedengbe

Benin, Oct 18, 2016 (NAN) The Edo Government has declared Oct. 20 as public holiday in celebration of the coronation of the new Oba of Benin, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Secretary to the State Government, said in a statement on Tuesday in Benin that the public holiday is in honour of Erediauwa, who will be crowned the 39th Oba of Benin.

According to the statement, the public holiday would ensure a hitch-free coronation and give Edo people the opportunity to partake in the historic installation of the new Oba of Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that events leading to the coronation ceremony commenced on Nov. 8 and the state capital had been agog with preparations and activities for the coronation.

History has it that the title of Oba in Benin Empire was created by Oba Eweka I, the Benin Empire’s first ‘Oba’, said to have ascended power between 1180 and 1300.

The Oba of Benin, then, was the Head of State (Emperor) of the Benin Empire untila the British annexed the Empire in 1897.
(NAN)
DCO/DUA/MTM/

Edited by Dada Ahmed/Tukur Muntari.
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NAN-H-103
Renovation
Makurdi, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Benue Executive Council (EXCO) on Tuesday approved
N500.4 million for the renovation and furnishing of Aper Aku Lodge in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Odeh Ageh, made the disclosure at a news conference after EXCO meeting in Makurdi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lodge, being used as part of the Government House, had become an eyesore.

The commissioner said that the contract had been awarded to SAB Nigeria Limited.

Ageh added that the Council had also raised a committee for the disbursement of N2 billion contributory marching fund between the state government and the Bank of Industry (BoI).

He explained that the committee would be chaired by the state Governor Samuel Ortom,
while the Chief of Staff, Commissioners for Finance, Industry Trade and Investment, Justice, the SSG and the Head of Service, are members.

According to the terms of the agreement, the funds so raised will be utilised to provide working capital loans, as well as for the  leasing of industrial and business equipment to indigenous entrepreneurs.

The fund is also to facilitate the promotion and setting up of micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the state with each of the parties contributing N1 billion. (NAN)
AEB/DO/HA
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(Edited by David Onilede/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-101
Supremacy
By Suleiman Shehu
Ile-Ife (Osun State) Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has advised traditional rulers in Yoruba land not to allow supremacy battle bring disunity among them.

The Ooni gave the advice on Tuesday in Ile-Ile Ife when the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji and his chiefs visited his palace.

He said that enmity caused by disunity among traditional rulers could hinder progress of any society.

He described the Yorubas as `talented and united’ people and urged traditional rulers in Yoruba land not to allow supremacy battle bring disunity among them.

He said that God is the creator and leader of the people while traditional rulers were only elected to rule over them.

The Ooni prayed for God’s guidance and protection for the people of the South-West region and Nigeria in general.

He said he was happy and grateful that the Olubadan made history by visiting him on the last day of the celebration of Olojo festival.

Ogunwusi thanked the Olubadan for propagating unity and love among the Yoruba race.

In his remarks, the Olubadan, who declared that Ile-Ife was the origin of the Yoruba race, said he was pleased to visit the town where the Yorubas originated from.

He said he visited Ile-Ife to thank the Ooni for coming to Ibadan during his coronation on March 4.

Adetunji felicitated with Ogunwusi on his birthday and celebration of Olojo festival. (NAN)

SYS/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

Kano Govt lauds LGC over immunisation

NAN-HG-9

Immunisation

Aisha Ahmed

Kano, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government has commended Dala Local Government Council of the state for its efficient service delivery during the October round of the exercise.

The Executive Secretary, Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Nasir Mahmud, made the commendation while monitoring the exercise of Tuesday.

Mahmud urged other local government councils in the state to emulate Dala for its commitment.

He specifically noted the council’s mobilisation of people to health camps to benefit from the package at all levels.

“What we saw in Dala is really motivating as the local council has provided malaria rapid diagnostic kits as well as other drugs to be provided free for patients in the area.”

He further called on parents in the area to ensure immunisation of their children against polio and other child killer diseases for the well being of their children.

The scribe also called on parents to take advantage of the ongoing immunisation against polio and other child diseases, as well as the provisions of health camp across some selected centres, for the wellbeing of their children.

Mahmud said that government was highly committed to improve the health of residents, especially children and pregnant women who were the most vulnerable in the society.

He said that the administration was investing end polio and minimise the scourge of killer diseases in the country. (NAN)

AAA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-F-31
Riot
Addis Ababa, Oct. 18, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The police in Ethiopia on Tuesday arrested and detained
1,000 people over anti-government riots, an official said.

The official said the detainees were held at a town called Sebeta close to Addis Ababa, where protesters looted and torched factories, vehicles and company premises.

The rioting followed the deaths of more than 50 people in a stampede, sparked by police attempt to disperse protesters at an Oromo religious festival near the capital on Oct. 2.

The government subsequently declared a state of emergency on Oct. 8.

The Oromia region, which is populated by the country’s largest Oromo ethnic group and includes Addis Ababa, has seen repeated flare-ups of anti-government protests since late last year.

“Some of the 1,000 detainees have been released; however, many of them are still behind bars and are being investigated for causing the damages.

“Half of the detainees were not local resident and had come in from outside,” Sebeta Mayor, Ararsa Merdesa said.

He said the arrests had been made before the state of emergency was declared and that the town had been calm since then.

The Oromo, who constitute more than 30 per cent of the East African country’s 100-million population, feel excluded from political and economic power.

Felix Horne from Human Rights Watch said the “silencing of independent voices and use of brutality by security forces to crush those that peacefully protest has led to this crisis.

“Therefore, it’s hard to see how imposing even more restrictions to silence dissenting voices is going to improve Ethiopia’s long-term stability,” he said. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/HA
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(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-HE-17
Market
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Mr Oscar Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Tuesday, said that the capital market was important for economic development and wealth creation.

Onyema made the declaration at the Market Data Workshop organised by NSE in partnership with the Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Market Data Vendors (MDVs) in Lagos.

He said that “in spite of the challenging economic conditions we are experiencing in Nigeria, the capital market still remains one of the main vehicles for economic development and wealth creation.”

He added that the capital market should be used effectively to ensure economic development.

He explained that the NSE Premium Board had returned 11.3 per cent Year-To-Date as at Oct. 17.

According to him, the level of private sector time deposits have declined by 14.4 per cent to N3.8 trillion over the last one year, from September 2015 to August 2016.

He noted that “with an average inflation rate of 12.7 per cent over the last year, the NSE Market Data Workshop, themed “Understanding Market Data for Savvy Investing and Wealth Creation” could not be more apt.”

Onyema said domestic investors and foreign portfolio investors required an elevated level of insight in order to discern between great investments and lame investments, especially during a challenging down cycle.

He added that “when we talk about market data, we refer to the pre and post trade-related data for the financial instruments traded on the NSE.

“NSE market data informs traders, investors, media and others in the market on the quotations, latest price, and historical trends for the equities, fixed-income, and ETF products that were traded on its platform.

“This information is not only used in real time to make instantaneous buy and sell decisions, but the historical market data is used to make price projections, as well as calculate market risk on investment portfolios.”

He stated that the workshop was designed specifically to provide capital market participants with sufficient knowledge about exploiting NSE market data for smart investment decisions. (NAN)
JNC/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-AE-11
Loan
Kano, Oct. 18, 2016(NAN)‎ The Kano State Government has commenced the disbursement of N1 billion Commercial Agriculture Loan to beneficiaries in Kano.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CBN in conjunction with Kano State Government granted the loan to boost food production in the state.

Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, commenced the disbursement at a workshop for the farmers on Tuesday in Kano.

The governor said that 500 associations with ‎more than 4,000 membership would benefit from the scheme.

‎He said that the programme was aimed at increasing agricultural output, food security and employment in the state.‎

Ganduje also added that the loan scheme was established to promote wheat farming, rice, meat production, diary and cotton farming in the state.
‎
‎The governor said that the state government would ensure strict monitoring of the loan to ensure repayment by beneficiaries.‎

‎‎In a remark, the representative of CBN Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed, said that the loan would enhance the value chain production of target areas, such as wheat, livestock and poultry.

Ahmed said that beneficiaries had two years to repay the loan.

He, however, appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan and ensure prompt repayment to enable others to benefit from the scheme. ‎

Alhaji Sani yadakwari, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the state government and CBN for the gesture.

He then promised that the beneficiaries would make best use of the loan‎. (NAN)
MNT/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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