Blog

UNICEF tasks media on birth registration
By Zubairu Idris
Registration
Katsina, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has urged media organisations to enlighten the public on the importance of child birth registration.
The UNICEF Public Advocacy and Communication Officer, Mr Rabiu Musa, made the call at a two-day stakeholders’ preparatory meeting for Media Campaign on Child Registration.
He said that the call had become imperative because birth registration in Nigeria was below the national and global standards.
“There is low level of awareness on the child registration in the country.
“That is why UNICEF is collaborating with the National Population Commission (NPopC) to change the situation.
“We want the media to take the enlightenment to people at grassroots level in the country, so that every child will be registered at birth,’’ he said.
According to Musa, birth registration is a right of every child, hence the need for parents to ensure that their children are registered.
He also urged other stakeholders, including traditional institutions, religious organisations, Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s), states and local governments, to continue to join hands to achieve the set goal.
The NPopC Director in the state, Alhaji Lawal Ahmad, said that Katsina has a projected population of 1,651,766 children below the age of five years.
He said that media campaign would commence from Sept. 20 to the middle of December 2018.
“The media houses will use their strategies to educate, mobilise and enlighten the public on the need for birth registration.
“Registrars must be ready to receive registration of more children during this period,’’ he said.
The NPopC Head of Vital Registration, Alhaji Yusuf Hussaini, said that about 150,433 children below five years have been registered in the state between January and June 2018.
According to him, “about 71 per cent of the 523,325 children born annually in Katsina state are not being registered at birth.
“These children have no certificate and in legal terms they do not exist; their right to identity, name and nationality is denied while their access to basic services is threatened’’. (NAN)
ZI/VIV/MST
Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Abuse

By Moji Eniola

Lagos, Sept.13, 2018 (NAN) The Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Thursday organised its annual walk at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos,  to expose the negative effects of the vices on the society.

The News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports that the walk was part of activities to mark the 2018 Domestic and Sexual Violence Month in the state and to sensitise the public to the negative effects  of sexual and gender-based violence.

NAN also reports that the walk was the first of its kind to be  organised by the DSVRT at Okota as the previous ones were held in Badagry, Oshodi, Epe, Ikorodu and Adeniji-Adele areas of the state.

The Coordinator of the DSVRT, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said that her team had received a high number of complaints relating to abuse and domestic violence from the Okota axis.

She said that the complaints prompted this year’s walk in the area.

“In the past year, the DSVRT received a lot of distress calls from this axis.

“It has, therefore, become imperative that we come here to sensitise and engage residents of the area on how they can prevent a recurrence.

“We are also here to preach the deterence message and distribute fliers and important information the residents can use to get help,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

NAN reports that the walk began at 10.30 a.m., after the weekly environmental sanitation held on Thursdays by Lagos traders.

Members of the DSVRT, the staff members from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Directorate of Citizens Rights were involved in the walk that saw them through Ago-Palace Way to educate the public.

They displayed various placards with messages such as: “Rape is not a family matter, report it”, “Lagos says no to child abuse,” and “DSVRT says no to rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse.”

Also, the members of the DSVRT distributed fliers to members of the public which condemned child abuse and domestic violence.

They also employed Pidgin English, Yoruba, Igbo and English languages to educate the residents of the area on the legal services available to survivors of abuse and domestic violence.

The team also explained to the people how the survivors of abuse and domestic violence could access such legal services and from where.

NAN also observed that during the walk, the responses from the pedestrians, traders, and motorists were positive.

They asked various questions relating to abuse and domestic violence from team’s officials, as well as collected copies of the flyers and branded gifts from the team.

A hairdresser, Mrs Blessing Edet, commended the Lagos State Government and the DSVRT for coming up with the initiative.

“Lagos is doing a good job. Well done and I will inform others about this initiative,” she said.

Also, Mr Chike Unuegbu, a spare-parts trader at Ladipo market said, “I didn’t know that men who are being beaten by their wives can actually report to the appropriate authorities.”

After the walk at 12.11p.m., the DSVRT set up a mobile legal clinic within Century Hotel, Okota, where their lawyers offered free counseling and legal services to survivors of abuse and sexual violence in the area.

The  team advised the public to always report incidents of child abuse and gender based violence, to  DSVRT by dialing  08137960048, *6820# or text “ABUSE” to 6820. (NAN)

MAE/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada

FG recruits 500,000 graduates under N-power programme – VP
By Mustapha Sumaila
N-power
Abuja, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday said 500,000 graduates had so far been recruited under the Federal Government’s N-power programme.
Osinbajo disclosed this at a conference tagged: “Harnessing Demographic Dividend (DD) for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Role of Religious Leaders,’’ organised by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Abuja.
He noted that the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari had introduced various intervention programmes to empower women and youths in order reduce unemployment and poverty.
The vice president added that about 400,000 Nigerians were currently benefitting from the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme of the present government.
Osinbajo also said that no fewer than 9.2 million children were being fed daily under the federal government’s school feeding programme.
Besides, he said that the states that keyed into the programme had risen from 25 to 26 as at this month.
On Democratic Dividend (DD), Osinbajo said that to avoid ‘the time bomb’ the government must build economy that would support the growing population of the country.
He said that gaining economic advantage involved national consensus and individual families must key into this programme of achieving the DD.
According to him, it is now the business of heads of families to prioritise the education and health of their dependents.
The vice president, who emphasised the need to invest in people through social inclusion, said that getting the country out of poverty was a task involving planning, physical and discipline.
“This government is committed and determined to take the country out of the current challenges therefore religious leaders must play their roles because no real progress will take place without their involvement.
“They have strong voice and they have responsibility to hold government accountable to ensure resources go round and meet the needs of the people,” he said.
Osinbajo thanked UNFPA and other partners for organising the conference, saying that religious leaders needed to know the prevailing policy issues concerning the DD.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had earlier described the conference as timely due to the commitment of the present government in achieving DD.
Adewole stated that among various interventions of the government towards a sustainable development in July, 2017, the Office of the Vice President had inaugurated a road map in harnessing the DD in the country.
He urged the religious leaders to support the change by playing vital roles in the achievement of DD. (NAN)
MS/AOS/MST
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Flood
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Rice Famers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kano state says the recent flood has destroyed over 5,000 hectares of rice farm in some local government areas of the state.

The RIFAN state chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Thursday that the rice farms were affected in 10 local government areas of the state.

Aliyu, who spoke through his Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Ado Yakasai, listed the affected local government areas as: Warawa, Minjibir, Bunkure, Wudil, Gaya, Garko, Gabasawa, Kabo, Rimin Gado and Ajingi.

He said the disaster, which occurred in August affected most of the rice farms situated in Fadama areas, pointing out that only farms located upland were not hit by the disaster.

“Each hectare of farm was expected to produce between six and seven tonnes of the commodity but with this disaster, the production will be seriously affected.

“You know most of the rice farms are situated at Fadama areas which are water settlements. So when the incident happened many farms were submerged by water,” he said.

Aliyu said that the farmers, who collected loan facility under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower Programme, had lost over N5 billion as a result of the flood.

“Each of the farmers collected fertilizer and other inputs worth N210,000 as the total loan package while some of them have even spent additional amount of money on top of the total loan package.

“The association has already reported the incident to the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAISL) since the farmers are covered by the insurance company,” he said.

He noted that the collapse of an earth dam in Bunkure local government area aggravated the situation.

The chairman, however, called on the Federal and state governments to come to the aid of the affected farmers in view of the huge loss they incurred.

He disclosed that no fewer than 44,800 rice farmers benefited from the Federal Government’s agricultural loan under the Anchor Borrower Programme this wet season. (NAN)
MTM/IS
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Warning

By Suleiman Shehu

Ibadan, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Oyo State Command on Thursday warned politicians and their supporters against the use of thugs in their desperate struggle to get elected in 2019.

The warning is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwole Olusegun in Ibadan.

Olusegun said in the statement, that the state commandant, John Adewoye, made the call while addressing the officers deployed to Delta, Lagos, Osun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Edo states on special duty.

The state Commandant advised all indigenes and residents of Oyo state not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence during the election.

Olusegun appealed to the people of the state and politicians in particular to build on the existing peaceful coexistence among the people of the state and shun criminal acts during electioneering campaigns.

“Oyo State NSCDC and other security agencies in the state will not hesitate to deal with anybody trying to engage in violence in the state.

“Let everybody shun violence and be peaceful in carrying out political activities ahead of the 2019 elections,’’ the commandant was quoted as saying.

He urged officers and men of the command to rededicate themselves to their duty of protecting the country’s integrity and ensuring  peace throughout the campaign period. (NAN)

SYS/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

NYSC

By Yakubu Uba

Yola, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of 2019 general elections, the Director National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mr Yusuf Steve Corps has warned corps members to be wary of politicians.

He said the corps members should resist attempt by politicians to use them to perpetrate electoral malpractices during the planned exercise.

Steve gave the warning on Thursday while addressing the 2018 Adamawa/Taraba Batch ‘B’ Stream 11 Corps Members at Damare Camp near Yola.

He said corps members that would work as INEC Ad-Hoc staff for the 2019 general elections must discharge their assignment properly.

“Be wary of allowing yourself to be used for political advancement of any politician; you are not supposed to show political activism.

“Some of you will be used as ad-hoc staff for election and you are expected to go into this with high level of integrity.

“Discharge yourself creditably well in a manner that the corporate image of the NYSC will not be dented,” Steve said.

He reiterated the commitment of the scheme to corps members’ security and welfare but added that the scheme would be more through in the supervision of their  social activities due to recent the drowning of some corps members in Taraba that went for picnic.

“There will be more invasion of your privacy; you now need to take permission for your social activities.

“All social activities must be permitted officially and all travels must have approval.”

Earlier, the Adamawa Coordinator of NYSC, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said 1,558 corps members were registered in the camp, made up of 1,010 for Adamawa and 548 for Taraba.

Mohammed said that activities were going on smoothly in the camp, including steady water and electricity supply.

“I am pleased to report that these corps members have displayed high level of discipline and impressive moral standard in their interactions with one another and camp officials.

“This is largely because from the onset, we are able to instil in them the basic tenets of the NYSC,” Mohammed said. (NAN)
YMU/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

I will tackle youth restiveness, social ills – Aspirant
By Awayi Kuje
Youths
Lafia, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) Mr Jacob Kudu, an aspirant into the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has promised to tackle youth restiveness and social ills, if elected.
Kudu, who is seeking to represent Nassarawa Eggon East state constituency, made the pledge on Thursday after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the state APC Secretariat in Lafia.
He pledged to address youth empowerment by establishing different skills acquisition in order to reduce their restiveness.
This is also to reduce unemployment and other social ills in his constituency and the state at large, he said.
The aspirant said: “I will prioritise skills acquisition programmes, if elected to enable the people of my constituency acquire skills that would enable them become employers of labour and become self reliant.
“I will also ensure effective and quality representation by initiating people oriented bills that will have direct bearing on the lives of my constituents and the state at large.
“I will not fail in my responsibilities, if given the mandate,’’ he said.
Kudu also promised to initiate and support good policies and programmes that would boost the socio-economic activities and the standard of living of his constituents.
Besides, he also pledged to give special attention to agriculture considering its importance to the socio-economic development of the country.
“Agriculture is also part of my blue print if elected. I will give top most priority to the agriculture sector by assisting farmers with fertiliser and other farm inputs in order to boost food production,’’ said the aspirant. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NDA offers free medical treatment to 1,000 residents

Outreach

By Muhammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Sept. 13, 2018(NAN) The Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA), on Thursday offered free medical treatment to 1,000 residents of Kutungare, Lima, Mando and Afaka in Igabi Local Government, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria report that 400 treated mosquito nets and 40 medicated glasses were also distributed at the event.

Maj.-Gen Adeniyi Oyebade, the NDA Commandant, said that the medical outreach was to strengthen civil/military relations and mark the graduation of the institution’s cadets, coming up in October.

“Over 1000 people benefited from free medical services and received treatment and drugs for various ailments.

“Drugs on malaria fever, typhoid fever, diabetes, ulcers, PIDs, conjunctivitis were administered,” he said.

According to him, others with more serious medical conditions have been referred to the NDA Medical Centre for proper attention.

Oyebade thanked the district head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, for mobilising the residents to access the free medical services and urged him to also identify other areas the NDA can intervene for the good of the communities.

The Commandant told the cadets to always accord high priority to civil/military relations in the course of their service.

Earlier, the district head, represented by the village head of Afaka, Malam Yusuf Salihu thanked the commandant for his commitment towards improving the health status of residents living around the institution.

Idris promised that his people will continue to be law abiding and support the Academy at all times, so as to sustain the long existing relationship between them. (NAN)

TJ/MZA

Patients
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept.13, 2018 (NAN) The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) on Thursday says it has trained no fewer than 1,400 members on patients’ satisfaction, for quality healthcare service.

Mr Monday Otso, the Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi Chapter, made this known at one-day seminar entitled: “The Role of Health Workers in Clients’ Satisfaction: FMC, Keffi in Focus”.

According to Otso, the union decided to put the seminar in place for members to acquaint them with modern knowledge of ensuring clients’ satisfaction in the centre.

“I must tell you the truth that in this facility, if the king is not there, all of us will go back to our villages and who is the king, the patient.

“Hence, the need for all of us to ensure that we satisfy our clients, who are patients that attend this hospital.

“If there is no patient in this hospital for a whole year, government will begin to think of putting this facility off.0

“Hence, the need to organise this seminar to satisfy our patients in the interest of the health sector,” he said.

Otso advised health workers to respect the rights of patients, adding, “client is the king who must be respected for services he/she is seeking’’.

He said that the seminar was timely due to the recent bill by the Consumer Protection Council, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, on the right of clients.

The chairman urged the union members to always do the right thing to guarantee patients’ satisfaction and quality healthcare delivery.

Earlier, Hussaini Ahmed and Ayuba Ismaila, the National Vice-Chairman and State Vice-Chairman of the association respectively, urged members of the union to adhere strictly to the ethics of their profession to save human lives.

The duo commended the leadership of the association for organising workshops for members of the association and called for its sustenance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association had in July 2017, organised a day seminar entitled: “Work Ethics: A Panacea for Effective Service Delivery in a Tertiary Health Institution, FMC Keffi in Focus”. (NAN)
AKW/FLP/GOK
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Olagoke Olatoye

Subscribers

By Lucy Nwachukwu

Abuja, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said  162.52 million subscribers were active on voice calls in the second quarter as against 149.31 million recorded in the first quarter.

The NBS disclosed this in its “Telecoms Data: Active Voice and Internet per State, Porting and Tariff Information (Q2 2018)’’ report released in Abuja.

According to the NBS, the figure recorded in the period under review represents a 0.09per cent increase in subscribers base.

The bureau said that 103.51million subscribers were active on internet in the second quarter as against 100.92million in the first quarter which represented 2.57per cent growth in subscribers base.

The bureau said Lagos State had the highest number of subscribers in terms of active voice per State in second quarter, closely followed by Ogun and Kano States respectively.

The report said Bayelsa and Ebonyi States had the least number of subscribers in the period under review.

“Similarly, Lagos State has the highest number of subscribers in terms of active internet per State in second quarter and closely followed by Ogun and FCT respectively.

“ Bayelsa and Ebonyi States have the least number of subscribers in the period under review.

According to the bureau, MTN network provider has the highest share of voice subscription, followed by GLO, AIRTEL, EMTS and Others respectively.

It said similarly, MTN had the highest share of internet subscription, followed by GLO, AIRTEL, EMTS and Others.(NAN)

LCN/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza