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Defence/Security

Police arrest 47 crime suspects in Ondo

 

 

Suspects

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Akure, June 3, 2019 (NAN) The Police Command in Ondo state said on Monday that it arrested no fewer than 47 suspects for various criminal offences from January till date.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Undie Adie, made stated this while speaking with newsmen on in Akure.

Adie alleged that the offences committed by the suspects included abduction, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, malicious damages, stealing, rape, cultism, arson and money rituals.

According to him, the feat was achieved through efforts of journalists, government and the good people of the state.

The commissioner said that the command detected and arrested some of the perpetrators of the crimes, and recovered arms and goods stolen from victims.

“Let me use this medium to reassure members of the public on the security issue, which we have observed is agitating the minds of the good people of the state.

“This has to do with the fear that has been created in the public by recent false publications on social media that Fulani herdsmen, who are believed to be kidnappers and rapists, have taken over Ondo state.

“I make bold to say that such stories, as recently carried by unscrupulous elements using dubious social medial platforms, are outright falsehood.

“Therefore, the command wishes to reassure members of the public of its resolve to rid the state of all forms of heinous crimes.

“In doing this, the command does not and will never deal with acts of criminality on the basis of tribe, religion or gender.

“Let me make it clear that whether you are Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo, Fulani, Esan, Efik, Birom or white, we shall deal with you appropriately according to the law, once you are a criminal,” he said.

Adie said that the command had security tentacles spread across the state, and advised the public to feel free and go about their lawful businesses in any part of the state they may wish. (NAN)

OMA/MA/OPI

Edited by Muftau Adediran and Olisa Ifeajika

Health

Family planning, birth spacing key to sustainable healthy population – NPopC

Family planning, birth spacing key to sustainable healthy population – NPopC
By Chinenye Offor
Planning
Abuja , July 9, 2018 (NAN) The National Population Commission (NPopC) says Family Planning (FP) is a pathway to achieving Demographic Dividend (DD) in the country.
The commission also said FB was fundamental to the realisation of 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development and strategic for national progress.
Chief Eze Duruiheoma, the Chairman of NPopC, said this at news conference as part of activities to commemorate 2018 World Population Day on Monday in Abuja.
The theme for this year’s event is “Family Planning as a Human Right’’.
He noted that the theme was a reminder to the first proclamation on FP as a Human Right made on May 13, 1968, at the conclusion of the United Nations International Conference on Human rights.
According to him, 20 years after, the 1994 International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in Cairo reaffirmed the declaration with a rider and to have information and ensuring informed choices as well made available a full range of safe and effective methods.
He also said that the ICPD programme of action allowed the rights to be exercised by all couples and individuals, adding that FP is the first and last step in managing population.
“Nigeria as signatory to both declarations; this day provides opportunity for us as a nation to reflect on efforts made over decades to empower the relevant population groups to exercise this right.
“The rights to information and access to contraception, education, the means to determine the number and spacing of children and rights to freely decide the number and spacing of children without any coercion or compulsion and discrimination.
“The extent to which these rights are promoted and exercised explains the impact of fertility on social well-being of the population, particularly women, adolescent girls and young people as well as infants.
“Family planning and birth spacing is the first and right step to population management, central in saving lives of women and adolescent girls, enhances women’s empowerment, key to poverty reduction,’’ he said.
Duruiheoma noted that accessibility, affordability, accountability, availability of quality and safe full range of FP products and services and timely delivery as equality and non-discrimination through innovative technology were essential for exercising basic human rights.
According to him, Nigeria being a part of the consensus reached by 179 countries in Cairo during the ICPD to recognise and promote the exercising of the basic human right which would focus on provision of information, accessibility to full range of FP options free in all localities.
He also said that achievement of FP as human right rested on information, education as well as means to exercising the right to reproductive freedom to responsibly determine when to start reproduction, the number and spacing of children.
Duruiheoma therefore said that government was responsible, accountable and central in providing individuals, couples and parents with adequate, quality, timely and appropriate information, education and resources to enable the voluntary exercise of the right without coercion.
He, however, expressed concerned on the limited access to contraceptives and the unmet demand for FP services which contributed to poor exercise of the rights, saying that exercising the rights will help in reduction of maternal mortality.
The Director-General of the commission, Dr Ghaji Bello, urged the Federal Government to look into population issues for better planning and development in the country.
He said that the commission would work with key stakeholders and partners on better ways of managing population explosion in Nigeria.
The event was attended by development partners, NGOs, CSOs and management of NPopC. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

(Audio) NAN MD tasks NPC on new population census to resolve conflicting data

NAN MD, Bayo Onanuga

Census

By Mustapha Yauri

Abuja, June 13, 2018 (NAN) Mr Bayo Onanuga, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has urged the National Population Commission(NPC) to conduct a new population census to resolve conflicting data on Nigeria’s population.

Onanuga gave the advice during an advocacy visit by a delegation from the NPC to the agency on Wednesday in Abuja ahead of this year’s World Population Day (WPD).

The managing director tasked the commission to provide the accurate figure of Nigeria’s population, noting that there were conflicting figures of the country’s population emanating from various sources, including the commission.

He pointed out that the last headcount carried out in 2006 surpassed the recommended 10-year intervals in accordance with international best practice.

.           Cue in audio: (Onanuga on census)

“In Nigeria people don’t even know how many really we are; every time you hear somebody says we are 200 million.

“The last time, thechairman of NPC went to America and said we are 198 million and some people are still using the old one and saying we are one seventy something million.

“How many really are we in our country as of this moment and when next are we going to have a census.

“We are supposed to one every ten years and I think the last one we had was in 2006; it is over 10 years now.’’

.           Cue out audio

Earlier, Dr Daniel Kwali, the Leader of the delegation and the National Commissioner representing FCT at the commission, said the advocacy was to seek support for the upcoming WPD.

He said the day was one of the UN’s major global celebrations marked on July 11 annually to arouse the consciousness of nations and people to issues in focus.

According to Kwali, the 2018 WPD with the theme `Family Planning as a human right’, aims to realise the essence of outcomes that will improve maternal and family health,

He said there was need to undertake elaborate media activities, sensitise Nigerians on this right, noting that the media had become the focal platform for sensitisation and awareness creation.

Kwali said that NAN, being the widest global network in the country, became the
choice of the commission.

He solicited the support of NAN, under its corporate social responsibility, to spread messages about population issues during the commemoration of the week and all through the year.

He also urged NAN to inform and educate Nigerians adequately on`parent’s basic right to freely and responsiblydetermine the number and spacing of their children.

The commissioner was accompanied on the visit by his colleague representing Lagos State and other stakeholders, including development partners and CSOs
working on demography in the country. (NAN)
AM/HAS/YEE
===========

Edited by Hajia Sani/Emmanuel Yashim

Health

NAPTIP partners NPC to tackle human trafficking

NAPTIP partners NPC to end human trafficking
By Mustapha Sumaila
Partnership
Abuja, May 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Population Commission (NPC), on Tuesday pledged to provide necessary assistance to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to eliminate incidence of human trafficking in the country.
The Director-General of the commission, Dr Ghaji Bello, made the promise when he received a team, led by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, during an advocacy visit in Abuja.
Bello said that NPC was determined and willing to collaborate in any way possible to tackle the ongoing menace of human trafficking.
He announced that the commission has appointed a liaison officer that would work with the Investigation and Intelligence Department of NAPTIP to forestall cases of falsification of birth certificates by child traffickers in their desperate move to traffic their victims out of the country.
The NPC director-general, who described human traffickers as wicked fellows and enemies of the society, pledged the commission’s readiness to partner with NAPTIP especially in the areas of proper identification through birth registration data.
Bello commended the NAPTIP boss for her tireless efforts aimed at ensuring security and stability in the country.
He called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country to support NAPTIP in its bid to ensure the protection of Nigerians.
Earlier Okah-Donli, disclosed that due to the intense heat on the traffickers, some of them have now devised new means of carrying out their nefarious activities by embarking on age falsification in order to ensure smooth sail for their victims.
She explained that some of the traffickers now besiege make shift business centres where they produce false birth declaration as part of the requirement for the procurement of visa for victims especially children bought from some of the orphanages.
The NAPTIP boss called for mutual cooperation between the two agencies in order to collectively fight human trafficking in the country.

She also appealed to the commission to avail her agency some levels of waiver in the condition attached to the verification of birth certificates.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okah-Donli had recently commenced advocacy visits to some of the critical stakeholders and partners of the agency as part of the strategic steps towards mass mobilisation against human trafficking in Nigeria. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

2019: NPC to generate records of dead persons for INEC – Chairman

2019: NPC to generate records of dead persons for INEC — Chairman
By Chinenye Offor
Deaths
Abuja, May 8, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the National Population Commission (NPC) says it has commenced the listing of all dead persons in the country for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Eze Duruiheoma, the Chairman of the commission, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that NPC would complete the process and hand over the accurate data to INEC within two months.
“In the next one month or two, the data will be made available but we have to be sure of the numbers before we make it available to INEC.
“We do not have 100 per cent coverage in registration of deaths and births.
“But the 50 per cent we have from it will be made available to INEC for them to clean out dead names from voters register,’’ he said.
He said that the final stage of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between INEC and NPC would be implemented soon.
He reassured that the partnership between the two agencies would help ascertain records of dead people nationwide.
NAN recalls that INEC recently requested for the list of dead citizens in the country from NPC, beginning from 2015, to enable it “sanitise’’ the voters register. (NAN)
CSO/JTJ/WOJ
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Wale Ojetimi

Politics

2019: Commission pledges support to INEC

2019: Commission pledges support to INEC
NAN-H-44
Support
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Feb. 27, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Chairman, National Population Commission, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, on Tuesday pledged to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) towards entrenching an effective electoral process.

Duruiheoma said this while receiving the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He noted that NPC would not conduct a census without demarcating the country into smaller units and if census was right, then election would be right.

“We have covered 87 local government areas in the enumeration area demarcation exercise using the highest technology in order to avoid manipulations during elections.

“We do not have 100 per cent coverage in registration of deaths and births but the 50 per cent we have from it will be made available to INEC for them to cleanse dead names out from voters register,’’ he said.

The chairman therefore called for more collaboration from other agencies.

Yakubu had earlier solicited strong collaboration with the NPC for the conduct of effective and credible polls.

He stated that the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two the agencies would lead to its implementation.

He assured of INEC’s readiness to work with NPC in order to sanitise the voters register for credible election.

According to him, INEC have been working with the NPC in areas of enumeration areas demarcation.

Yakubu said that the partnership between the agencies would help attain records of deaths from 2015 to date to help remove dead persons names from the voters register.

He therefore assured Nigerians of a credible poll in 2019. (NAN)
CSO/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC workers’ strike “put on hold” – Union

NPC workers’ strike “put on hold” – Union
NAN-HG-1
Protest
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 30, 2018 (NAN) Striking workers of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday said their protest had been “put on hold’’ pending the response of the Federal Government to their demands.
The President of the workers union, Mrs Rita Agaba, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
She explained that the strike was put on hold following the intervention of the national Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress.
Agaba said the union members decided to put on hold the strike in respect of the NLC and TUC with offices reopened.
However, the unionist maintained that they would operate a work-to-rule regime to facilitate dialogue and in anticipation of government positive response.
NAN recalls that the leadership of organised labour on Jan. 29 directed the aggrieved NPC workers to suspend their strike to give room for dialogue.
Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with his counterpart, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC) gave the directive while addressing the NPC staff in Abuja.
Agaba also disclosed that the scheduled Jan. 30 meeting between leaders of the NPC workers’ union and the Secretary to Government of Federation had been postponed till further notice.
NAN reports that the NPC workers embarked on the strike in the last three weeks to protest the reappointment of their Director-General, Dr Ghaji Bello, by the federal government.
The workers are also demanding for improved working condition and probe of the finances of the commission. (NAN)
CSO/OSA/MST
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC Strike: Workers demand Mr President’s intervention

NPC Strike: Workers demand Mr President’s personal intervention
NAN-HG-5
Appeal
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 28, 2018 (NAN) Striking workers of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Friday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to personally intervene in their industrial dispute to restore peace and normalcy in the commission.

They made the appeal in a statement signed by their labour leaders and issued to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

The statement was jointly signed by Mrs Rita Agaba, Messrs Aminu Abashiya, Ibrahim Saleh and Ogunyemi Funke as leaders of the four trade unions in NPC.

They said the statement was meant to update the public on developments over the reappointment of Dr Ghaji Bello as the Director-General of the commission.

They dismissed speculations that the dispute had been resolved following the intervention of the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

The workers reaffirmed their earlier position on the no-confidence vote passed on Bello by the unions, management and members of staff of the commission.

They rejected the minister’s directive to the NPC management and appeal to the workers to allow Bello resume duty on Jan. 29.

The unions said that the minister’s action was not consistent with the principles and polices of the present administration on anti-corruption and whistle blowing.

They noted that allegations of financial impropriety leveled against Bello was not referred to the appropriate agencies for investigation despite deluge of information provided.

The labour leaders explained that the update was predicated on the outcome of their meeting with the Ngige on Jan. 25.

They also noted the minister’s attempt to resolve the strike and how he handled the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State who, like her other counterparts, had assumed the role of Head of Service of the Federation.

They claimed that the commissioners had flagrantly disregarded Civil Service Rules and Procedures such as the strict implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and financial regulations.

The unionists flayed the “desperate, subtle and coercive efforts to break the ranks of the agitating workers”, which they described as inimical to industrial peace and harmony in NPC.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the congress in a show of solidarity reiterates the issues raised earlier in her first and second meetings where the management and staff not only passed a no-confidence vote on Dr Ghaji Bello and equally unequivocally, rejected his imposition on National Population Commission.

“The appointment of Dr Ghaji Bello brought career jeopardy to serving officers from reaching the pinnacle of their career in a professional MDA such as the commission.

“This have consequently retarded the career progression of the staff who has put in their life in the service and has the requisite professional, technical knowledge and competence to drive the mandate of the commission.

“Congress notes that democracy is all about the rule of law and following precedence that have already been set with the reversal of the appointments of the Director-General of NAFDAC, NHIS executive secretary and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,

“and as such we ask that the reappointment of Dr Ghaji Bello be reversed for the interest of peace.

“They requested that a core professional be appointed as Director-General rather than the present situation.

“Dr Bello lacks professional and administrative competence as required by NPC Act to run the affairs of the commission which became manifest in his performance in the last four years.

“We have ample information of plans to arrest some members of staff of the commission and flood the office with armed policemen on Monday, 29th January, 2018, in order to facilitate Dr Ghaji’s resumption.

“Congress however request the Hon. Minister to kindly advise Dr Ghaji Bello to stay away from all offices of National Population Commission nationwide in the interest of peace and industrial harmony,” the communique read in part.

The workers therefore resolved to sustain the protest to drive home their rejection of Bello’s return to the commission.

They also agreed to close all offices of the commission nationwide from Jan. 29, in line with their earlier resolution passed on Jan. 23, until the matter was amicably resolved in their favour.

The management of the commission and Bello are yet to react to the current development.

However, the Chairman of NPC, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, had earlier appealed to the agitated workers to end their work-to-rule industrial action and resume duties.

Duruiheoma assured them that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Minister of Labour were addressing their grievances. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC workers demand probe of commission’s funding

NPC workers demand probe of commission’s funding
NAN-HG-9
Investigation
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) Workers of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to probe the funding and expenditure of the commission in last four years.
The workers made the appeal as a resolution of their congress meeting in Abuja to review their ongoing work to rule action.
They said the investigation would unravel an alleged corruption that has bedevilled the commission.
This is part of the communiqué jointly signed by Mrs Rita Agaba, leader of the NPC workers union; and Messrs Aminu Abashiya, Ibrahim Saleh and Ogunyemi Funke.

The communiqué, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the resolution followed the outcome of their committee with the Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, on Jan. 22.
The workers acknowledged that the chairman persuaded them to suspend their demand for the removal of the reappointed Director-General of NPC, Dr Ghaji Bello.
However, the congress held on Jan. 23, considered the request of the chairman and national commissioners to allow Bello resume for another term as “insensitive, selfish and tendentious’’.
“The members of staff have maintained a stand that the former DG, Ghaji Bello, would not return to the commission.
“The staff members are aware of the reasons for the position of the chairman who is afraid that Ghaji Bello will expose his illicit financial dealings.
“The members can no longer keep quiet in the face of brazen theft and corruption that has characterised the commission in the last four years.
“The commission which aspire to become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in the country has lost her pride of place among institutions in similar standing due to the conduct of those at the helm of affairs,” the communiqué read in part.
The congress however endorsed the no-confidence vote passed by the management staff on the reappointed director-general “and by extension the chairman and also to the commissioners that have not demonstrated enough sense of responsibility in discharging their duties’’.
The unions therefore advised all members to continue with the “work to rule action’’ until all demands were met.
“We are aware that government activities in the commission have been at a standstill since the reappointment of the DG was announced.
“And in order for government activities to continue without any further hindrance, government should consider as matter of urgency the appointment of an Ag. Director-General pending the resolution of issues in dispute.
“We are calling for the suspension of expenditure on the one billion and sixty eight million Naira (N1,068,000,000.00) pending the appointment of an Ag. Director-General for the commission,’’ it stated.
NAN also gathered that copies of the communiqué were sent to the chairman of the commission; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; and the Minister of labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, for necessary action.
The management of NPC was yet to react to the workers demands. (NAN)
CSO/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen JImoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC protest: FG urges workers to resume

NPC protest: FG urges workers to resume
NAN-HG-5
Meeting
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 19, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government has appealed to aggrieved workers of the National Population Commission (NPC) to resume duty as their grievances were being addressed.
The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, made the call at a stakeholders meeting to resolve the crisis in Abuja.
Mrs Rita Agaba ,the President of the NPC workers union, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
“The Minister of Labour and Productivity had a meeting with stakeholders to address the issues raised by the union.
“He pleaded that we return to our duty while he should be given time to look into the issues raised.
“We are expecting to get feedback from Dr Chris Ngige by end of January,’’ she said.
The union leader also confirmed that the Directors and Commissioners of commission passed a vote of no confidence on the reappointed Director-General, Dr Ghaji Bello, at the meeting.

According to her, the no-confidence vote was passed by national commissioners and directors because their input in the affairs of the commission was not respected.
However, Agaba said that the offices of the commission nationwide had been re-opened, but the workers adopted a work-to-rule policy to press their demands.
The workers are protesting the reappointment of the director-general and demanding for improved welfare.
Efforts to get Bello’s reaction to the development by NAN including visits to his office and phone calls failed.
The Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, had earlier newsmen that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is addressing the case.
He said that inadequate funding was hampering the smooth operations of the commission.
Duruiheoma also said that the development was not politically motivated and appealed to the striking workers to return to work. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola