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General news

(Video) NAN News Highlights for Wed., July 11, 2018

 

  1. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the presidential villa, Abuja, behind closed doors.

The two presidents would discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries particularly security and economic matters and the increasing killings of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.

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  1. Arrangements have been concluded for the official commissioning of the Abuja Light Rail, first of its kind in West Africa.

The 45,245 kilometer rail project which has taken 11 years to complete, and runs from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Abuja Metro Station, will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 12.

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  1. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun says the Federal Government will thoroughly examine the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) before signing it.

Adeosun said government had embarked on nationwide consultations with state governments, local government authorities, manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure that the interests of the people were protected.

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  1. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has urged members of the media to verify and authenticate all information before dissemination to the public.

Mohammed, at the launch of the National Sensitisation Campaign Against Fake News, in Abuja, cautioned about its risks and consequences, citing examples of the genocide in Rwanda and other parts of the world.

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  1. The United Nation Population Fund has called on governments to fulfill their commitments to universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, as agreed at the 1994 International Conference on Population Development and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Executive Director of the fund Dr Natalia Kanem represented by Eugene Kongnyuy, Acting Country Rep. of UNFPA, noted that about 214million women still lacked safe and effective family planning methods.

General news

Attacks: Ex-SSG urges Nasarawa residents to expose evil doers

Attacks: Ex-SSG urges Nasarawa residents to expose evil doers
By Awayi Kuje
Security
Nasarawa (Nasarawa State) June 21, 2018 (NAN) Dr Zainab Ahmed, former Secretary to Nasarawa Government, has called on residents of the state and other Nigerians to expose evil doers, particularly those instigating communal crises.
Ahmed, a serving permanent member at the state’s Civil Service Commission, made the appeal on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nasarawa town of the state.
According to her, exposing them will bring an end to the incessant skirmishes as well as other attacks on communities and enhance a better society.
She added that exposing the criminal elements would help in complementing government’s efforts in tackling insecurity and other criminal activities in the country.
“Some of the people and the hoodlums perpetrating these evil acts live with the people and people know them so they should expose them in order to tackle security challenges in the interest of peace and national development.
“I am calling on communities to expose criminal elements because you don’t gain anything by refusing to talk. You will do a lot of good if you expose them to the security agencies and other appropriate authorities.
“Such information is very useful and will help in maintaining peace in the state and the country at large, and complement government’s effort in tackling insecurity and other criminal activities in the country,’’ the ex-SSG said.
Ahmed restated her commitment to continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities and other stakeholders in order to ensure lasting peace in the area and the state at large.
The former scribe also called on the people of the state to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun negative acts for the overall development of the country.
She further enjoined them to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Banking

JOHESU strike: NMA urges security at hospitals

JOHESU strike: NMA urges security at hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Security
Abuja, May 24, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for provision of adequate security at public hospitals to enable doctors and contract staff render uninterrupted services to Nigerians.
Dr Frances Faduyile, the NMA President, made the call in a statement he issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Faduyile said the appeal was to checkmate the alleged threats of striking Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) workers and their officials to prevent doctors from offering healthcare services to Nigerians.
“They now lock up clinical service points and equipment thereby making it difficult for doctors to operate smoothly within the hospital environment.
“We call on the CMDs/MDs of government own facilities to provide adequate security for doctors and contract staff who are currently offering services within the hospitals,” said the NMA president.
He added that association also observed with dismay the maligning of the Ministers of Health and Labour by JOHESU, “calling them all sort of uncomplimentary names, and the call by JOHESU for the removal of the minister of health.
“We therefore call on the federal government and its representatives including the Minister of Health and that of Labour and Productivity not to be distracted but continue to stand with the truth and international best practices in ensuring the improvement of the health indices of Nigerians.
“We condemn this unbecoming action of the striking allied health workers in strong terms and call on government to call this amorphous group to order,” he said.
The NMA president reiterated the desire of its members to continue to offer seamless healthcare services to Nigerians and call on government to ensure conducive working environment for it members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JOHESU, a union comprising all health workers in Nigeria apart from medical doctors and dentists, began a nationwide indefinite strike on April 18.
The health workers are demanding for improved healthcare facilities and condition of service. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited By Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

IG-P directs 24-hr surveillance in schools

IG-P directs 24-hr surveillance in schools
By Mohammed Mamman
Surveillance
Damaturu, March 24, 2018 (NAN) The Inspector General of Police (IG-P) Ibrahim Idris on Saturday directed a 24-hour police surveillance to provide security in schools across Yobe. 

He stated this when addressing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe.

The Police chief said this is to provide students and parents with sense of security to pursue their studies and realise their dreams.

“We will deploy additional policemen to the schools to see to your welfare, safety and security.

“They will be here 24 hours and I want you to cooperate with them, give them information on strange faces and movements for maximum security,” he said.

The IG-P donated 10 bags of rice and a bull to the students.

Idris later told journalists that his visit to the liberated areas was to put appropriate measures in preparation for the total withdrawal of the military.

He said the police was partnering with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to provide the police and other security agencies with useful information “to move timely and curtail excesses of the miscreants”. (NAN)
MM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Youth council lauds Army, Police, NCDC efforts on security

Youth council lauds Army, Police, NSCDC efforts on security
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Youths
Abuja, March 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has commended security agencies for their outstanding performances and doggedness in tackling insecurity in the country.
The President of NYCN, Mr Murtala Garba, made the commendation on Thursday in Abuja while presenting awards for outstanding performances to the security agencies.
The security agencies appreciated included the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps and other para-military agencies.
According to Garba, the Nigerian security agencies have sacrificed a lot to ensure protection of lives and properties, regretting that their efforts were not given due recognition.
He therefore called on the Federal Government to improve the welfare of security personnel in terms of salary, housing, healthcare and care for widows of deceased heroes.
“Our security agencies are working hard and they need more encouragement to enable them achieve more results.
“It is high time Nigerians, particularly the youths begin to encourage instead of always criticising on social media.
“The Nigerian Army, DSS, the Police, Civil Defence and others have performed well and we are proud of them,’’ he declared.
Garba said the United States was still fighting terrorism but the Nigerian Army had fought terrorism 75 to 80 per cent in the North Eastern part of the country, saying it deserves our commendation.
“The DSS has also done well with information gathering, the civil defence in protecting pipeline vandalism so it is not time for criticism but support and encouragement because they are also human,” he added.
He called on youths to desist from crime and not allow themselves to be used as thugs as the 2019 elections draw near, urging them to be responsible citizens who will participate fully in the process.
Receiving the awards for the Army, the Chief of Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Eze Chukwu, assured the youths and Nigerians in general of its commitment to the fight against terrorism, while warning youths against insurgency.
“We will not relent in the fight against insurgency in the country and we will make sure that insurgency come to a stop.
“We will go round to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book,” he said. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Dapchi schoolgirls: NGO tasks FG on security

Dapchi schoolgirls: NGO tasks FG on security
By Mustapha Sumaila
Schoolgirls
Abuja, March 21, 2018 (NAN) The In-depth Rural Health Access Action and Initiative (IRHAA), an NGO, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to provide adequate security in schools for safety of students across the country.
The Executive Director of IRHAA, Dr Grace Okudo, made the plea while reacting to the release of 106 abducted Dapchi Schoolgirls in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
NAN recalls that 110 schoolgirls of Government Girls Technical School, Dapchi, Yobe, were abducted on Feb. 19.
Okudo explained that governments at all levels must do everything possible to ensure students who went to school to learn for a better future were not abducted again.
She said “prevention is better than cure”, hence government must do everything within its power to prevent future occurrence of the incidence.
Okudo, who is a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, said that the news of the release of the girls was a relief to her and IRHAA.
“As a woman and as a professional, I know what these girls went through, it is highly traumatising.
“Definitely, there will be scars on them; mentally, psychologically and physically, therefore these children must be properly rehabilitated before reuniting them with their families,” she said.
Okudo, who is also a medical practitioner, lauded efforts of all stakeholders involved in the release of the schoolgirls. (NAN)
MS/IFY/MST
Edited by Ify Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Centre solicits govt support on healthcare workers security

Centre solicits govt support on healthcare workers security
NAN-HG-1
Support
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, March 6, 2018 (NAN) Ethic Resource Centre Nigeria, an International Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), has appealed to governments to support capacity building conference on security of healthcare workers.
Mr Ike Onyechere, the Chairman of the centre and coordinating agency of the upcoming national conference on security of hospitals and health workers, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, the conference will empower health practitioners on security best practices and protocols that will reduce their vulnerability to security threats and risks.
He further noted that the effort would also put a halt to the trend of medical workers being targets of choice of kidnappers.
Onyechere identified such support to include sponsoring health workers in their various states and 774 local government areas in the country to participate in the conference billed for Wednesday to Friday.
Onyechere commended Lagos, Kwara, Rivers and and Enugu states for sponsoring their health workers to participate.
He emphasised that it would avail participants opportunities to tap into the wealth of knowledge of security operatives on precautions against abduction, kidnapping and hostage taking, among others.
“I commend some states governments for taking serious interest on this programme like Lagos, Enugu, Rivers and Kwara; this demonstrate that they are actually concern and have listening ears about the security of their medical personnel.
“Every person in this country is aware that doctors and other medical personnel have been agitating to have government do something about the incessant kidnapping of medical personnel.
“It is a good thing that some state governments are leveraging on this programme, using the opportunity to build the capacity of their medical workers to empower them with skills, information, the dos and don’ts that will enhance their security.
“I also use this opportunity to appeal to other governors in the country to support this programme by sending some of their medical personnel to benefit from it,” he said.
Onyechere, who described the conference as holistic and maiden, said it would enhance the safety and security of the workers.
He emphasised that the conference was supported and facilitated by 12 other organisatopns including the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSC), Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of Nigeria.
According to him, the conference is holistic in the sense that it focuses on enhancement of security of healthcare workers.
Onyechere said it was a great initiative that would provide a road map as all CEOs of the facilitating agencies would make special presentations from their various perspectives on how security challenge has affected their various sectors and employees.
The chairman said the thrust the presentations would cover recommendations and way forward in addressing such challenges.
“This is the first time in the country all critical health sector unions, associations and regulatory agencies are coming together to organise a conference on security of health workers.
“The collaborating agencies included the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).
“All the collaborating agencies will present their individual perspectives and recommendations on how to respond to the current reality of medical and health workers becoming targets of choice for kidnappers, terrorists, robbers and other criminals.
“Also a high powered faculty of security experts will make presentations on 11 security topics including emergency preparedness, security leadership, communication security, travel and movement security, staff selection security due diligence, fire risk assessment and management,’’ he said. (NAN)
FUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Food security: Nasarawa farmers advocates increase funding to agriculture

Food security: Nasarawa farmers advocate increase funding to agriculture
NAN-H-70
Agriculture
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Jan. 29, 2018 (NAN) Farmers in Nasarawa State have called on the State Government to increase its funding to agriculture to achieve food sufficiency and security.
Acting under the aegis of Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), the farmers urged the state government to ensure adequate budgetary allocation to agricultural sector in 2018.
Mr Joshua Jonathan, the state President of the association, made the appeal on Monday in Keffi in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Jonathan said that increase in agricultural funding would increase agricultural production as well as ensure food sufficiency in the state and the country at large.
According to him, the call became imperative due to the reduction in the budget of the sector from N3.5 billion or three per cent in 2017 to N2.3 billion or about two per cent in the 2018 budget proposal.
“The budget estimate for agricultural sector is expected to cater for personnel, overhead, recurrent, capital and other expenses such as subsidy on fertiliser that would engender agricultural development.
“The current budget estimate for the sector cannot provide for the basic requirements for agricultural sector because fertiliser subsidy alone for 1 billion farmers would gulp N1 billion if subsidy for a bag is N1,000 as was the case in 2017.
“So if every farmer would get up to five bags, imagine how much just fertiliser subsidy would cost not to talk about other aspects,” he said.
Jonathan noted that decades of neglect of agricultural sector in the state had led to poverty among the farming population and called on the government to invest more in the sector.
“No society can live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family and nation, hence the need for government to give it the most desire attention,’’ he said.
The farmers leader advised the government to ensure that all interventions reached grassroots farmers to checkmate activities of “political farmers’’ who often hijacked such support at the detriment of agricultural development.
He also called on the state House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture to increase the allocation of the sector in order to boost food production in the state. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Group tasks government on security

Group tasks government on security
NAN-H-29
Security
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Jan. 24, 2018 (NAN) Young Muslims’ Association of Nigeria (YMAN) has called on government at all levels to boost the nation’s.

The group urged government to ensure security of lives and property of citizens including the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country.

The association made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 38th annual national conference held in Aran-Orin, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

The communiqué was signed by the Public Relations Officer of the union, Malam Ismail Bello, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday.

However, the group enjoined citizens to exhibit some degree of tolerance and love for one another.

The communiqué also urged government to collaborate with community, religious and opinion leaders to find a workable solution to the crisis, noting that if unabated, it was capable of worsening the economy of the country.

Besides, the association urged the Federal Government to urgently end the protracted fuel scarcity causing lots of hardship to the people.

“We thought the so-called removal of subsidy has solved the problem, that it can rear its ugly head after all efforts of the government should be seen as a serious embarrassment to the nation”, it said.

The association expressed concern with what it described as cases of harassment and discrimination against Muslim women/girls in schools and offices in some cases.

“The issue bordering on the recently concluded Nigerian Law School Induction ceremony, where a Muslim lady was denied `Call to Bar’ due to her Hijab (Muslim veil) and another had her Hijab mutilated was an example of such embarrassment.

“While calling on all arms of government to ensure the matter is resolved with fairness and justice, all Nigerian citizens; Muslim and Non-Muslims alike, are to note that under no circumstance should any Nigerian be molested or denied her right due to the observance and manifestation of his or her faith”, it said.

While identifying power as one of the major problems in the country, the group said that Zakkat would eradicate poverty in the society.

The group also advocated for pre-marital blood screening as a means of reducing the rate of sickle cell disease.

This it said was necessary due to the enormous health and cost implications of present medical solutions to the disease and the anti-Islamic practices embarked upon by some victims particularly as post-marital prevention. (NAN)
AUO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NYSC management, corps members dialogue on welfare, security

NYSC management, corps members dialogue on welfare, security
NAN-HG-1
Forum
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Jan. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja on Monday commenced a two-day interactive forum with corps members on issues affecting national service.
The forum organised by the scheme has 190 corps members in attendance who are representing the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
The two-day forum is taking place on Jan. 8 and 9 at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, with the theme: “Repositioning Corps Members as Instruments for Accelerated Nation-Building”.
Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General, while declaring the forum open said it was part of activities of the scheme to get corps members involved in the administration.
Represented by Mrs Victoria Okakwu, the NYSC Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Kazaure said the forum would enable management get feedback from corps members on the various issues faced during the service year.
He said that the issues brought forward by the corps members would be deliberated and the resolutions adopted would be used to improve the administration of the scheme.
“Some of the issues I am pre-empting will be brought up by the corps members is their rejection from places of postings for primary assignment.
“A lot of corps members are turned down by various institutions; other issues are provision of accommodation by various employers and corps members’ inability to cope during the service year.
“Corps members’ lodges and the inability of local governments to meet up with this responsibility will also be brought up.
“We hope to stimulate discussion between corps members and management, bridge communication gap, address corps welfare and review issues of corps security.
“With this and other issues we believe solutions will be proffered which we will take back to the state and local governments,” Kazaure said.
He expressed optimism that all the issues raised at the forum would be addressed in order to achieve a better understanding between management and corps members towards effective administration of the scheme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the agenda for the forum is sensitisation talks by members of staff, round table discussion on issues affecting the scheme by corps members and management.
Corps members participating in the forum will be divided into five groups for interaction and discussion.
The groups will thereafter be expected to present their observation and recommendations to management while a communiqué will be released at the end of the forum. (NAN)
KRY/JEO/MST
Edited by Janefrances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola