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Agriculture

Church urges Enugu Govt to engage in industrial agriculture

 

Church urges Enugu Govt. to engage in industrial agriculture

Agriculture
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 11, 2020 (NAN) The Christian Victory Prayer Ministry (CVPM) Worldwide has urged Enugu State government to engage in industrial agriculture to create jobs for youths in the state.

The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Dan Obinegbo, made the call on Tuesday while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the need to engage youths of the state meaningfully.

Obinegbo said that there was the need to curtail the number of teeming youths roaming the neighbourhoods aimlessly and put their energy and vibrancy into good use.

“When leaders complain about growing unemployment and restiveness among the youths; I see and discover that they are not tapping from historical experience.

“The farming industry remained the only industry that Nigeria as a country had done marvellously well, especially during the early days of the country.

“Then, it was competition among three federating regions on how to increase their outputs of cocoa for the west, palm oil for the east and groundnut for the north.

“Within few years; Nigeria became the major world exporter of these three cash crops.

“Today, the land used for the then exploits are still here with us; our weather and climatic condition have not changed.

“While there is better knowledge on how to grow these cash crops and new farm implements meant to help reduce labour, increased yield and preservation techniques are here with us.

“So, I expect the Enugu State Government to put the massive arable land in the state, which runs into tens-of-thousands of hectares of farmland to optimal use by making the state an industrial agriculture hub of the country.

“This hub should be fashioned to create thousands of direct jobs for youths between the ages of 20 to 40 years, the people in this age bracket are full of energy and zeal to drive the scheme,’’ he said.

According to him, the government can partner with renowned off-takers to ensure that the farm produce is bought under good competitive price.

“The state government can also be off-taker of the products itself and export directly to overseas and some African countries thus, creating more wealth for the state through export business,’’ he said. (NAN)
KSN/AIJ/GY
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Edited by Abigael Joshua/Grace Yussuf

Judiciary

Association urges Enugu govt. to make courts accessible to persons with disabilities

Association urges Enugu govt. to make courts accessible to persons with disabilities
Disability
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 11, 2020 (NAN) The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria, on Tuesday, appealed to the Enugu State Government to make courts in the state accessible to persons with disabilities.
The appeal was contained in an open letter signed by the President and state Chairman of the association, Mr Daniel Onwe and Mr Gab Nnamani, and addressed to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The letter, entitled “An opportunity to make our courts accessible to persons with disabilities’’, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.
The group stated that public buildings, including courts, could be made accessible with ramps, lifts and other assistive devices in each court building in the state.
The letter stated: “We have taken cognisance of the fact that the courts in Enugu state are currently undergoing renovation.
“This is a very laudable project, which could not have come at a more opportuned time.
“Your Excellency, we request that this window of opportunity be utilised to, now, make the courts in the state accessible to persons with disabilities, who may be approaching the said courts, either as counsel or litigants, to seek justice.
“This accessibility can be achieved by installation of ramps, lifts and other assistive devices.
“We know how natural it could be for the peculiar interest of persons with disability to be overlooked in such circumstance.
“It may interest you, Your Excellency to know that President Muhammadu Buhari in January, 2019, by his assent, brought into force the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.’’
According to the associaiton, making buildings and the environment accessible to persons with disabilities has now become a global trend.
“This project of court renovation in Enugu state is a golden opportunity for the people and government of Enugu state to further demonstrate sensitivity to the plight and peculiarities of persons with disabilities.
“This will in line meet with the extant Nigerian law and global best practices’’. (NAN)
KSN/COO/USO
(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sam Oditah)

 

 

Agriculture

Join Buhari’s agrarian revolution, VON DG urges youths

Agriculture

By Stanley Nwanosike

Enugu, Feb. 9, 2020 (NAN) Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director-General Voice of Nigeria (VON), has called on youths in the country to join the ongoing nationwide President Muhammadu Buhari’s agrarian revolution.

Okechukwu, who is also a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call on Sunday in Enugu, while addressing some youths in the state.

He noted that the Federal Government could not employ 10 percent of the teeming graduates looking for jobs in the country, adding that agriculture remained the way to go.

According to the VON boss, agriculture remains the mainstay of the country’s economy, the highest employer of labour and highest contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“May I candidly appeal to our youths nationwide to join President Muhammadu Buhari’s agrarian revolution, especially now that we are entering the raining and farming season.

“Both the federal and state governments cannot employ up to 10 percent of millions of our unemployed graduates,’’ he said.

Responding to issues of prohibitive bank interest rate and collateral hindering access to funds for farming, Okechukwu said that the agrarian revolution had different segments.

Among the segments, he said, was the Anchor Borrowers Programme, which had no direct interest rate attached to small holder farmers.

He recalled that the programme was launched on Nov. 17, 2015 by President Buhari to create a new generation of farmers and link them with agro-processing companies.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the Anchor Borrowers Programme, shielded the small holder farmers from prohibitive interest rate, thus deepening financial inclusion.’’ the VON DG explained.

He further explained that the CBN, in collaboration with some state governments, cleared farmlands, provide high yield seedlings and fertiliser, with farmers handing over farm produce to anchor companies off-taking the products after harvest.

Okechukwu informed the youth that the federal ministries of agriculture and water resources had invested heavily in irrigation and provision of farm inputs.

This, he added, was to mitigate the Small Holder Farmers to mechanised farmers through government’s recent irrigation of the Adanu/Omu farm belt of the state.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians, especially youths, to buy into the farming opportunities so as to benefit from the spread of prosperity, which the Buhari agrarian revolution was intended to achieve.

“The agrarian revolution involves rice, cassava, cocoa, palm oil, groundnuts, pepper, fishery, poultry and cattle ranching, among others” he said.

On the issue of farmers and herders clashes, which had prevented many farmers from going to farm in some parts of the country, Okechukwu said nobody was happy about the menace.

He added that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to address the situation. (NAN)

KSN/EEM/WAS

Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede and ‘Wale Sadeeq

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defence/Security

Promotion exam: Army warns officers against fraud, malpractice

Promotion
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 9, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has warned its officers undergoing its Lieutenant to Captain Practical Promotion Examination (LCPPE) 2020 to shun fraud and all forms of examination malpractices.

The Examination President, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Tarfa, gave the warning in Enugu on Sunday while addressing the 121 candidates participating in the six days practical promotion examination.

Tarfa, who is also the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), said that any of the candidate caught cheating would be suspended instantly and “it might lead to termination of the officer’s career in the Nigerian Army as well’’.

“I do not need to remind you that your performance in this examination would determine your growth in this our noble profession.

“I, therefore, advise you all to accord the examination all the seriousness and determination it deserves.

“I also implore you all not to be worried as the setting of this examination is simple, realistic and within the context of the approved syllabi,’’ he said.

He noted that practical examination was aimed at evaluating the intellectual ability of the candidates, to improve their knowledge of a given environment as well as capability in the discharge of their professional duties.

“The examination also aims to test their ability to manage men, material and equipment under them as well as ability to work under minimal supervision especially in dynamic environment,’’ he said.

The examination president said that the candidates would be tested in various categories, which include; physical/medical fitness, map reading, tactics, low intensity conflicts, communications, French language, skill-at-arms and staff duties at different staging areas.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, lauded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai for selecting the Division to host the examination as well as refurbishing the Division’s auditorium.

“The Division has made adequate accommodation arrangement within the available resources of the Division in order to make your short stay in Enugu a memorable one.

“However, you may wish to bring any case of administrative difficulty to the attention of the local organizing committee for prompt action. The committee members are on standby to attend to your needs,’’ Adegboye said.

The six days examination, being hosted by the 82 Division, would commence Monday, Feb. 10 and end on Feb. 15. (NAN)
KSN/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Religion

Cleric urges Christians, politicians to shun greed for a better society

Cleric urges Christians, politicians to shun greed for a better society

Greed
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 9, 2020 (NAN) The General Overseer of Christian Victory Prayer Ministry Worldwide, Pastor Dan Obinegbo, has urged Christians and politicians to shun greed for a better society.

Obinegbo made the call at a news conference on Sunday in Enugu to mark the 25 years  anniversary of the Church coming up from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 in Enugu.

He noted that greed had led many people including clerics to do the wrong things and God’s anger rekindled against them and their ministry; “since God will never share his glory with any man’’.

According the cleric, God is still faithful; it is us men that abuse ourselves due to greed and social influence.

“Greed most times put our status as spiritual defenders of the people in jeopardy.

“When we take away greed from the service of God and pastors not yielding to unnecessary influence and bending to influential church members; desires; the world will indeed be a better place since God remains faithful’’.

Obinegbo noted that one of the greatest challenges of the country “is the prolonged tribal greed by politicians not truly willing to share power and positions in a multi-ethnic country’’.

He said that as a prophet, he had continued to warn Nigerians that the country was standing on an amalgamated tripod of three regions and there must be equitable and fair sharing of positions.

”If the sharing is rotational, allow it to stand for equity,” he said.

He also urged politicians to shun unnecessary acquisition of wealth, especially stealing from public treasury.

“Politicians should be honesty to the people and leave legacy projects behind that they would be remembered for after office,” he said.

The cleric said that politicians had failed to provide gainful employment for youths but rather try to use them as thugs; thus, escalating joblessness and insecurity across the land.

“It is unfortunate that politicians want to see youths around them singing their praise but have no plan for the future job engagement and betterment of those young men that follow him/her all about before, during and after elections,’’ he said.

On the silver-jubilee celebration of the church, the cleric noted that it would be used to re-enact the ample testimonies of salvation, healing and deliverance the church was noted for in the past 25 years. (NAN)
KSN/EOB/AFA
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Ediited by Edith Bolokor/Felix Ajide

 

Health

Lassa fever: Enugu govt. embarks on sensitisation step-down in 17 LGAs

Lassa fever: Enugu govt. embarks on sensitisation step-down in 17 LGAs

Awareness

By Stanley Nwanosike

Enugu, Feb. 8, 2020 (NAN) The Enugu State Government has commenced massive sensitisation step-down on Lassa fever in the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state has so far recorded four cases of the disease with two deaths.

Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Healthcare Centres Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), made the disclosure in an interview with NAN in Enugu on Saturday.

Ugwu said that the sensitisation step-down was going on simultaneously in each of the LGAs for all the Primary Health Care workers.

He said that the initiative became necessary, following a meeting between the agency and the staff of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He said: “The agency met with officials of NCDC recently and a resolution was reached between us.

“One of the most critical resolutions was for ENS-PHCDA to step-down lassa fever sensitisation and awareness to the rural areas, where the bulk of the population of the state reside.

“The agency has earlier organised a PHC stakeholders workshop on lassa fever for PHC officials from the 17 council areas, comprising PHC Coordinators, Disease Surveillance Officers and Disease Information Educators.’’

According to Ugwu, lassa fever is a disease burden mostly prevalent in rural areas and with that in mind, PHC workers always serve as first contact with any suspected patient.

“It is important that PHC workers are well enlightened on the disease symptoms, case definition and prevention.

“It is also necessary that they observe universal hygiene and safety precautions, while caring for any suspected case,’’ he said.

He also said that as part of the agency’s commitment to further deepen the sensitisation at the rural areas, Disease Information Educators and other PHC workers would be visiting communities and public gatherings to talk to the people about the disease.

“They will use the opportunity provided by schools’ assemblies, community meetings, market days and church services to talk to the people and share materials on lassa fever prevention and the need to shun negative habits that may cause the disease,’’ he said.

The ENS-PHCDA boss urged rural dwellers to stop the consumption of rat, touching rats and observe regular hand washing, while ensuring that their environment remained clean.

He advised the people to report any suspected case to the nearest PHC for medical attention and proper referrals to better facilities that had the capacity to handle the disease. (NAN)

KSN/ZGA/USO

(Edited by Zainab Garba/Sam Oditah)

Defence/Security

Cancer: NAOWA screens 502 women in Enugu

Cancer

By Stanley Nwanosike

Enugu, Feb. 8, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 502 women benefited from a free breast and cervical cancer screening exercise organized by the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) in Enugu on Saturday.

NAOWA also organised an 11 kilometres cancer awareness walk as well as a talk as part of activities to mark the 2020 World Cancer Awareness Week.

Mrs Rasheedat Adegboye, President of NAOWA, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, who inaugurated the exercise declared that cancer was “never a death sentence’’.

Adegboye, who is the wife of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, noted that cancer was “highly curable’’ when detected early.

She advised women to engage in regular breast and cervical checks to ensure early detection of  abnormalities, unnatural growth or lumps in their breasts and other parts of the body.

Adegboye said that: “It is good that Nigerian women are rising up against cancer by participating in their large numbers on programmes meant to create awareness on breast and cervical cancers.

“Today; NAOWA, other associations in the barracks and wives of officers of sister security agencies took the battle against cancer to the streets and enlightened thousands of Nigerians with one-on-one and leaflet messages on cancer.

“We have over 502 beneficiaries going through the various stages of the screening, which starts with a health talk and followed by individual counseling by a physician’’.

Adegboye assured that any woman detected to have cancer during the screening would be referred to the teaching hospital for further medical attention.

“NAOWA as a charitable organisation will financially support any woman, whose breast and cervical cancers are detected early through this screening exercise, for the treatment at the teaching hospital,’’ she added.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Chika Okpara, said the screening had afforded her the opportunity to once again examine her breast and cervix with hospital equipment and by an expert.

“As of today, it is clear to me that I know my breast and cervical status and they are healthy,’’ Okpara who is a soldier spouse said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegboye led officials and other members of the association in the cancer awareness walk in Enugu.

The procession started from Abakpa Military Cantonment through Abakaliki Road to Okpara Avenue; then to Artisan Market through Ebeano Tunnel and back to 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital. (NAN)

KSN/CHOM/RSA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Rabiu Sani Ali

 

General news

Army urges S/East residents not to panic over officers’ practical promotion exam

 

Army

By Stanley Nwanosike

Enugu, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has urged residents of the South-East zone not to panic when they see movement of troops conducting practical promotion examination for its lieutenants.

Col. Aliyu Yusuf, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, made the request in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Friday.

Yusuf stated that members of the public, especially those living in the state and neighbouring states, should remain calm, when they see military equipment and troops movement from February 10 to February 15.

He explained  that the development was a practical promotion examination organised by the army for its troops.

“The Headquarters of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army is set to host the Nigerian Army Lieutenant to Captain Practical Promotion Examination (LCPPE) 2020 in its area of responsibility.

“This is in line with the Nigerian Army Forecast of Event 2020, which scheduled the promotion examination from February 10 to February 15.

“About 121 candidates (Lieutenants) will be expected to participate and be tested in various categories, which include physical/medical fitness, map reading, tactics, low intensity conflicts, communications, French Language, skill-at-arms and staff duties at different staging areas.

“The examination is aimed at evaluating the intellectual ability of the candidates and to improve their knowledge, capability in the discharge of their professional duties and ultimately serve as an assessment for promotion to the rank of Captain,” Yusuf stated.

He further stated that representatives of the Department of Army Training and Operations, a team of observers from Army Headquarter; members of the examination panel and Directing Staff drawn from formations and units of the Nigerian Army as well as supporting staff from 82 Division were expected to be part of the exercise.

“As it is customary, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command, who is the Exam President, will address the candidates and the examination panel at the Headquarters of 82 Division Auditorium on Sunday before the commencement of the exercise.

According to Yusuf, candidates and officials will be conveyed in military escort to the selected staging areas within Enugu and adjoining environment during the period of the examination. (NAN)

KSN/CCN/USO

(Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Sam Oditah)

 

Politics

Group urges INEC to further reduce political parties to 5

Group urges INEC to further reduce political parties to 5

Parties
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) The Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate (SNPM ), a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further reduce the current 18 political parties to five.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday in Abuja, announced the de-registration of 74 political parties out of the 92 political parties for non-performance in the 2019 General Elections.

The Chairman of SNPM, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, told NAN in Enugu on Friday that there was a need to further reduce the 18 political parties to five to show seriousness and wide spread.

“We are still calling on the national assembly to amend the constitution so that we cannot have more than five political parties.

“A fewer number of political parties are needed now in Nigeria and not many mushroom political parties that do not make impact,’’ he said.

The SNPM boss, however, commend INEC for de-registering the 74 political parties as “ a welcome development that any reasonable person must commend’’.

“We have been saying it that Nigeria does not need all these mushroom political parties.

“It is a waste of time and taxpayers money to continue to push parties that do not impact on the life of citizens,’’ he said. (NAN)
KSN/JPE/DCU
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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Donald Ugwu

Politics

NYCN commends INEC for deregistering 74 political parties

NYCN commends INEC for deregistering 74 political parties

Parties
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has described the deregistration of 74 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a good omen.

Mr Bestman Okereafor, NYCN’s National Public Relations Officer, said this in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday.

He said that INEC’s current position on the  state of some political parties was a good step, especially in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“NYCN’s attention has been drawn to INEC’s decision to deregister 74 political parties and bringing the number down to 18.

“We consider this as a giant stride and a step in the right direction, it shows that the electoral commission is poised to do it well,” he said.

Okereafor congratulated the 18 political parties that survived INEC’s scrutiny, urging them to play their roles in the nation’s polity.

He said it was worrisome that most political parties were mere appendages of the major ones, saying, “they are silent and unable to check the activities of the major parties.”

“The NYCN congratulates the successful 18 political parties, we charge them to serve as checks to the policies of the ruling party,”(NAN)
KSN/AZU/AFA
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Edited by Azubuike Okeh/Felix Ajide