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Maternal mortality: UNICEF moves to check iron deficiency among Nigerian girls, women
By Zubairu Idris
Girls
Rimi (Katsina State), Sept. 8, 2018(NAN) The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has launched Anaemia Reduction in School and Non-school Girls (ARISING) project to address iron deficiency in girls and pregnant mothers which leads to maternal mortality in the country.
The UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Katsina and Kano States, Madam Padmavathi Yedla, disclosed this during the launch of the project on Saturday at Rimi, Katsina state.
She said that the state was selected for the pilot project in Nigeria, pointing out that it will be implemented in Rimi, Kankia and Kafur Local Government Areas.
“The lessons learned will inform the scale-up of the project not only to other parts of Katsina, but other states in Nigeria.
“Katsina state is selected for the pilot project in view of the high political commitment of the state government and her positive response to issues of children and women,’’ she said.
Yedla said that the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NSPAN) revealed that the prevalence of anaemia among women in Nigeria is 63 per cent.
“Iron deficiency in women is among the leading causes of maternal mortality contributing 20 per cent of total annual deaths.
“Reaching out nutrition interventions to about 20 million girls in Nigeria, with an average age of marriage being 15 years.
“Will go a long way to not only reduce anaemia among the age group, but would save the lives of many adolescent girls from maternal deaths and children from malnutrition in the future,’’ she said.
She said that women would also be counseled on child spacing and appropriate diet to be taken particularly during pregnancy.
The officer explained that Vitamin A supplement for children protects them against the major child killer diseases like cholera, pneumonia and diarrhoea.
Yedla said UNICEF would continue to support the project and other child survival and development programmes to enhance the wellbeing of Nigerian children. (NAN)
ZI/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Games

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Ebonyi has forced the commencement of the David Umahi Tertiary Institution (DUMTIGA) Games to be shifted from Saturday Sept. 8 to Sunday Sept. 9.

Mr Charlse Akpuenika, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, made the disclosure while speaking to sports journalists on Saturday during the re-conducting of the draws for the football events of the Games.

Akpuenika said that stakeholders in the state were expected to participate in the delegates elections in their various wards as both big events could not be held on the same day.

“We are expecting the state governor to declare the competition open while the people are expected to come out en masse to witness the ceremony.

“We have concluded arrangements for a hitch-free competition with the local and main organising committees ensuring that everything is ready for the competition.

“The directors of sports in the participating tertiary institutions have also cooperated in this regard, while several external observers invited to witness the competition have indicated interest of being part of the event,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the external observers, including football scouts would discover and assist in nurturing hidden talents discovered from the Games.

“I therefore, urge all the participating athletes to give their best as the Games afford an ample opportunity for them to be discovered and achieve their life ambitions through sports.

“The media should assist in giving adequate coverage of the event and expose all incidences of irregularities by athletes and officials.

“I have warned the technical sub-committee of the Games not to alter results or engage in any form of malpractice as no one will be allowed to jeopardise our efforts in organising a seamless competition,” he said.

Mr Desmomd Ome, Secretary of the state Football Association (FA), said that the draws for the football event were re-conducted because of developments that had transpired between March and presently.

Ome, who supervised the conducting of the draws said that 11 institutions participated in the March draws but one institution dropped to reduce the number to 10.

“The opening match of the competition will be between Ebonyi State University Abakaliki and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) team as the event will adopt a single-elimination format.

“The football event for the female category will involve five institutions, while the draws for other sports will be organised at the venues of the events.

“This is to ascertain the number athletes presented by participating teams to ensure that not much walk-overs are recorded,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Games which will run until Sept. 15 will also feature other sports, including athletics, badminton, volleyball and taekwondo, among others. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Marriage
By Mercy Osajiugo

Minna, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Mrs. Fatima Madugu, Commissioner for Education in Niger, has cautioned parents against marrying off their daughters at very danger ages because of the numerous dangers associated with that.

Madugu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna, identified Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), disease as one of the major effects of early marriage.

The commissioner stressed the need for increased campaigns to sensitise parents against early marriage, warning that the Niger government would prosecute parents who withdrew their girls from school for early marriage.

“We have always taken up cases of withdrawal of the female child for marriage by parents or guardians seriously.

“We always take the culprits to court because we believe that such attitude is a breach on the Child Rights’ Act,” she said.

Madugu, however, said that in some cases where the marriage had been consummated, the women were usually  enrolled into school to continue their education.

“That they are married should not be the end of their education. We usually insist that their husbands must integrate them back into the school system to continue with their education to enable contribute to societal growth.”

The commissioner, however, expressed concern that in spite of the campaigns, some parents had refused to change, adding that the state had lost massive human capital because the girls were not allowed to make it to tertiary institutions.

While warning parents against the practice, Madugu commended the wife of the governor, Dr. Amina Bello, for organising various sensitisation programmes on VVF and its consequences. (NAN)
MNO/IAA/ETS

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Ephraims Sheyin

Resignation
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on members of his cabinet aspiring to contest elective positions in the 2019 general elections to resign immediately.

Ajimobi made the call on Saturday in Ibadan at a meeting with governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also met with political appointees aspiring to contest elective positions in the 2019 elections.

The governor said that it was mandatory that they resign their appointments immediately, adding that some of them no longer have time for their jobs.

The governor stated that resigning would give them the opportunity to concentrate on their aspirations while providing others opportunity to serve.

“We still have some months to the end of this administration. They either stay or leave for others to have the opportunity to serve.

“You will see that some will not resign. We want to reduce the gamblers.

“We want people who are serious; those who are seriously committed to either seeking offices or focused on governance,” he said.

Ajimobi also disclosed that unity and progress of the party were among topics discussed at the meeting.

He added the meeting also availed those present the opportunity to appreciate the aspirants for their commitment to the party.

The governor  described the APC as the  party to beat in the next election, saying other political parties in the state were “subsidiaries.”

“It is clear to all and sundry that APC is a party to beat in the state. When you have this kind of position, there is the tendency to have people fighting for positions.

“We appeal to them to work as a family. The leadership of the party is ready to accept whatever type of primaries they prefer, be it consensus, direct or indirect.

“We want to ensure that we practise democracy in the truest sense. We are happy with the response of the aspirants and they have all agreed on indirect primaries,” he said.

The governor, however, disclosed that aspirants had resolved that whoever was chosen as the flag bearer at the end of the primaries would be acceptable to all.

Ajimobi expressed delight at the spirit of brotherhood displayed by the aspirants, saying they were all eminently qualified to govern the state.

“We have told them to go and negotiate with themselves. You are all eminently qualified.

“We are not going to name anybody. The aspirants are in there now discussing with themselves.

“They are not desperate people or do-or-die politicians. They have their jobs and they can survive without politics. I think politics is just their vocation,” he said.

Among those present were former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Chief Niyi Akintola(SAN), Dr Azeez Adeduntan, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mr Joseph Tegbe and Mr Olalekan Alli.

Also present were  Mr Soji Eniade, Dr Morounkola Thomas, Mr Isaac Omodewu, Mr Ayodeji Karim, Dr Owolabi Babalola and Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari.

The rest were Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, Rep. Abiodun Awoleye, Mr Akeem Agbaje, Mr Kolawole Asanke and Mr Sunday Dare.

NAN further reports that the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo,  and the Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, who had both signified interest in the governorship race, were absent at the meeting.

The meeting,  which was inconclusive, was postponed till Sunday morning when a communique signed by the aspirants would be made available.

NAN also reports that the governor and other party leaders would on Sunday meet with Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants. (NAN)
TAA/KTO/OJO
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Mufutau Ojo)

Court confirms death sentence on 75 in Egypt’s Islamist sit-in

Sentence

Cairo, Sept. 8, 2018(dpa/NAN) An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld death sentences against 75 people for participating in a 2013 sit-in protest in support of deposed  President Mohammed Morsi.

Those convicted included senior officials in Morsi’s now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group, state television reported on its website.

BThirty-one of the 75 defendants were tried in absentia.

The head of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie, was sentenced to 25 years in jail in the same case.

In July, the Cairo Criminal Court recommended death sentences for the 75 defendants.

The court also announced that the sentences would be referred to the country’s chief Islamic Legal Authority, the grand mufti, for a non-binding opinion, as required by Egyptian law.

The same court issued Saturday’s ruling after consultations with the mufti.

The mufti’s opinion was not released but it appears that he did not take the unusual step of opposing the death sentences.

Among the accused in the case is award-winning photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, who was on Saturday given five years in prison.

Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, has been in jail since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering the sit-in.

Procedures will now start for releasing Shawkan, 30, because he has already served more than five years in pre-trial detention, judicial sources said.

Shawkan in April won the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize.

On Saturday, the court also sentenced 46 others to 25 years in prison each in the same case.

Prison terms ranging from 15 to five years were given to 612 co-defendants.

Charges were dropped against five other defendants who had died since the legal proceedings began.

The court also ruled that all the rulings could be appealed.

The case is related to the sit-in protest staged in mid-2013 by Morsi’s loyalists in Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo.

In August 2013, security forces cleared the protest with force.

The operation, in which hundreds of people were killed, came more than a month after the army deposed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected but divisive president.

The defendants were charged with murder, holding an armed gathering, damaging public property, illegal possession of weapons and belonging to an outlawed group, a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Rights group Amnesty International condemned Saturday’s verdicts.

“These sentences were handed down in a disgraceful mass trial of more than 700 people, and we condemn today’s verdict in the strongest terms,” said Najia Bounaim, the watchdog’s North Africa campaigns director.

“The death penalty should never be an option under any circumstances.

“The fact that not a single police officer has been brought to account for the killing of at least 900 people in the Rabaa and Nahda protests shows what a mockery of justice this trial was,” she added, citing another pro-Morsi sit-in held in mid-2013 near Cairo.

The Egyptian government has repeatedly said that the country’s judiciary operates independently.

Months after Morsi’s ouster, Egyptian authorities declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and rounded up thousands of its members and loyalists in the toughest crackdown on the group since it was created in 1928. (dpa/NAN)

IAA/IA

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Idris Abdulrahman.

Navy inducts 1,103 new sailors to fight insurgents, oil thieves

Sailors

Onne (Rivers), Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 1,103 new sailors have been inducted into the Nigerian Navy to complement the joint military operations in the North-East, Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea.

Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali announced this on Saturday at the Passing Out Parade of Batch 27 Trainees at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers.

Dan-Ali, represented by Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, said some of the new sailors would be deployed in counter insurgency and oil theft operations.

“Tthe recruitment became necessary, given the fact that a considerable percentage of the revenue driving the nation’s budget is generated from resources offered by the maritime domain.

“In the last three years, there has been unprecedented effort made in welfare projects and fleet recapitalization drive to enhance the combat readiness and operational efficiency of the navy.”

The minister said the Nigerian navy had recently taken delivery of six patrol boats and 10 Rigid Hull Inflatable boats and many others as part of commitment to equip and arm the navy.

He said that the build-up in fleet would achieve the desired objectives with the right amount and calibre of requisite personnel.

“The opening gambit is to recruit able bodied young Nigerians from the society and refine them into a desired finished product necessary to man the required platforms (fleets).

“This is exactly what has just been concluded with the 1,103 graduands, comprising 940 young men and 163 women inducted today,” he said.

Dan-Ali said the new ratings were expertly trained in various warfare and maritime courses for a period of six months at the naval training facility.

He said the induction was part of crucial part of the capacity building programme of the navy to develop, maintain, sustain and operate forces appropriate to its threat evaluation.

The minister urged them to be disciplined, obedient, apolitical and have unflinching loyalty to the military and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“The new ratings are expected to maintain the tenets of civil-military cooperation and standard, discipline, hard work and commitment must be their watchword.

“Also, they are expected to show courtesy when interacting with civilians as well as show respect for human dignity even as they bear arms,” Dan-Ali said.

Commodore Sunny Ode, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, said the trainees underwent trainings in seamanship, navigation, weapons handling, naval discipline, parade and combat drills, among others.

He said the trainees also took naval courses in Mathematics, English and French languages to sharpen assimilation and broaden their knowledge. (NAN)

DES/DOE/IA

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Idris Abdulrahman

Eagles
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Former Nigeria international, Bright Omokaro, on Saturday lauded the Super Eagles’ 3-0 away victory against Seychelles in the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Victoria.

Omokaro, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, described the Super Eagles’ performance in the match as good.

“The good thing is that we got the three points at stake in the match, and that is very vital.

“So, by and large, the players’ performance was okay all through the match,” he said.

The former international, however, urged the team to step up its performance in their remaining matches of the qualifiers against Libya and South Africa, to enable Nigeria’s flag to be hoisted at the final event in Cameroon.

NAN reports that Omokaro was part of the Green Eagles squad at Maroc ’88 Nations Cup, where Nigeria came second behind the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

He advised that other senior players in the squad to the recently-concluded FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia should be featured in the remaining qualifying matches.

This, Omokaro said, would ensure Nigeria’s qualification for the final in Cameroon.

“We will need good hands to play against South Africa and Libya, if we want to qualify from our group.

“Our encounter against both countries will be the real test for Coach Gernot Rohr.

“Both countries are not pushovers; we have already lost against South Africa at home. So, our match against them is a must win for us,” he said.

Ahmed Musa, who plays for Riyadh-based Al Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia, recorded Nigeria’s first goal in the encounter on 15 minutes.

Chidozie Awaziem of FC Porto, Portugal, increased the tally for the Nigerians in the first half, before Odion Ighalo, who plies his trade in the Chinese Super League, with Chanchung Yatai, converted a second half penalty, to give Nigeria the maximum points.

NAN reports that Libya and South Africa are currently occupying the first and second positions in Group E, while Nigeria are third with three points. (NAN)
KOA/FLP/SOA

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Oluwole Sogunle

2019: APC has no viable opposition says Lai Mohammed

Opposition

Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Benin, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister for Information and Culture, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC), would win the 2019 general elections as there is no  viable opposition to the party.

The minister stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Benin on Saturday, where he chaired the  wedding of the son of Edo Commissioner for Budget and Economy Planning, Hajia Mariam Abubakar.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that would have provided a “kind of opposition” is in disarray.

He attributed the reason the APC would win the elections to its performance in the last three years.

He also stated that the ruling party is not in the least threatened by  the noise of  the PDP.

“I don’t see fear any  opposition in the elections. The opposition is in disarray.

“We believe that the people will vote for performance and to that, we are very confident; government has not stopped working. We will continue to work for Nigerians to see.

“Basically, I don’t see any opposition from the PDP, it is a section of the media that has constituted itself  to the opposition party.”

The minister said the war against  fake news menace must be won.

“We have seen fake news gone under, we have been able to drag it under the table, bring it to the open.

” We must not forget however, that fake news is a global phenomenon, it is not peculiar to Nigeria. If not checked  it will pitch the people against themselves.

“The  Federal Government launched the campaign against fake news because it realised that some very unscrupulous elements, have been exploiting the frontline of ethnicity  trying to put a wedge against the government and the people,” he stated.

NAN reports that the minister who was the Chairman of the wedding ceremony, advised the couple to  imbibe the culture of tolerance.

The Minister described marriage as an institution that has brought orderliness into the society.

“Imagine a society devoid of marriage; there will be no cohesion and order in such a society.

NAN reports that the wedding ceremony was witnessed by businessmen,  politicians, traditional rulers, among others. (NAN)
ESI
ehis05@yahoo.co.uk
07030464940

2,447 athletes in Ilorin for National Youth Games

Youth Games

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 2,447 athletes from 24 states have so far arrived and registered for the 4th National Youth Games holding in Ilorin.

The Chairman of the Accommodation Committee for the games, Ali Durotoye, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ilorin.

NAN reports that Lagos and Kogi states are among states that missed the 3rd edition, but are already in Ilorin for the 4th edition of the games.

Durotoye, a Deputy Director with Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, said screening for the athletes will be conducted on Sunday.

He also confirmed that Gymnastics, Wrestling and Judo will commence immediately after the screening on Sunday.

Durotoye said other states are still expected to arrive on Saturday.

NAN reports that Rivers has the highest number of athletes so far, put at 289.

The games will officially open on Monday from 2pm.(NAN)

OOH/MZA

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Militants
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Sep. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Islamic Republic of Pakistan says efforts are being put in place to completely eradicate remnant of militants in the country.

The Pakistan High Commission to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. (Rtd), Waqar Kingravi stated this at the ceremony to mark 53rd Defense Day of the country in Abuja.

Kingravi explained that Pakistan had done so much to defeat militants but the battle was not yet over as remnants of such insurgents were still displaying their ugly head.

He said that his country had intensified efforts and adjusted its strategies to strongly deal with the militants in more hostile ways.

The envoy stated that the day was to commemorate the successful defense of their homeland by their Armed Forces and brave people of Pakistan against a large scale offensive launched by much larger eastern neighbour.

The High Commissioner noted that the day also denoted the resolve of people of Pakistan to defend their territorial integrity against all sorts of threats including militants, terrorists and other external aggression.

He said that his country and Nigeria had been cooperating in the past in the political and military fields to promote world peace pointing out that such needed to be boosted.

Kingravi thanked Nigeria for its open hearted support to Pakistan and on Kashmir cause in particular at various international fora.

The High Commissioner commended Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.

“I have to congratulate the Nigerian Armed Forces in bringing peace to the North East and commend the government in fighting extremism in this country,” he said.

The Nigerian Minister of Defense, Rtd Maj.-Gen. Mansur Danali said that Nigeria and Pakistan had maintained good relations over the year and that had grown from strength to strength

Represented by a Director from the ministry of defence, Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi, the minister stated that Pakistan had supported the country in the fight against Boko Haram.

He added that Nigeria had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan on military cooperation. (NAN)
MS/IS
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