By Augusta Uchediunor

The African Union Commission says the continent is making headway in defeating malaria through strong political commitment, increased funding, and innovations devised to improve malaria prevention and control.

According to it, most of the achievements have been realised through the Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign implemented by the AU Commission in partnership with the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to End Malaria.

H.E. Amira Mohamed, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission, made the assertion in her message as the world marks the 2021 World Malaria Day on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Malaria Day takes place annually on April 25 to highlight the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made.

The theme for 2021 World Malaria Day is : Zero Malaria Draw the Line Against Malaria.

Mohamed said: World Malaria Day 2021 comes at a time when healthcare systems in Africa bear the anomalous weight of the coronavirus pandemic.

AU Member States have maintained their focus in the fight against malaria even as the pandemic continues to test the limits of health infrastructure at the country level.

I take the opportunity to recognise and appreciate all AU member states for ensuring that comprehensive approaches like education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, that have been proven to have tangible results in the fight against malaria, have been sustained during the pandemic.

Today, the African Union Commission joins the world to celebrate the seven million lives saved, and over one billion malaria cases averted through life-saving mosquito nets, among other interventions.

She urged all countries to collectively work with the fullest commitment to end malaria by 2030.

As a continent, we celebrate with great honour and pride the AU Member States that have been certified malaria-free.

I encourage these member states to lead continental knowledge-sharing initiatives so that best elimination practices are exchanged and scaled-up.

To date, 19 AU member states have rolled out the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaignseven of which launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While more member states are working towards launching the campaign, the commission welcomes the collaborative effort to urge Africa leaders to step up and be a part of the zero-malaria movement, she said.

The AU commissioner said that the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaign was transforming the continents malaria response and inspiring global action.

This campaigns advancement and impact have demonstrated AU member states dedication to reach the targets set in the Africa Health Strategy and the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030.

The campaigns focus is to empower the youths involvement in the malaria response.

According to her, the leadership of youth in Africa is crucial as young people account for 75 per cent of the continents population and the youth are the driving force of the continent.

The AU Commissioner commended President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya, for launching the Digital Youth Malaria Army initiative.

She emphasised the critical role of multisectoral partnerships in achieving significant strides towards the shared goal of malaria elimination, urging for increased partnerships and resources to innovate and improve surveillance programmes.

As we commemorate World Malaria Day 2021, I call on frontline health workers , partners, and leaders worldwide and in Africa to share experiences and reflections on efforts and opportunities to reach the target of zero malaria.

I reiterate that ending malarias scourge will have a long-term, transformative impact and save millions of lives.

The commission will continue to support the AU member states to draw the line against malaria, she said.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of three of the students kidnapped at Greenfield University, Kaduna State.

The president, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, described the students as bright youngsters who were cut down by evil people in their prime.

He said: My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace.

Buhari extended his condolences and that of the Federal Government to the relatives, associates of the murdered students and the Kaduna State government.

On the recurring incidents of kidnappings and killings in the state, the president said that they were barbaric terror attacks.

He also described as unfortunate, the tenor of some political and religious leaders that seems to further incite and stokethe pains and anguish of mourning families who are forced to confront these tragedies.

Addressing this scourge requires great show of empathy and coming together as a society to squarely confront these elements and the danger it poses to our democracy and peaceful life in the country.

He assured that those who thought that profits could be made, either from the money paid as ransom or in politics, would suffer with equal measure of recompense under the full weight of the law for their wickedness and brutality.

Banditry, kidnapping and the politics of murders will be fought with all the resources available to our country, the president further declared. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abubakar Ahmed

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to Zamfara over the renewed spate of banditry in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed bandit attacks had resurfaced in some parts of the state, leading to the death of many people.

Bagudu, who was in company with his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, said that they were in the state to commiserate with Gov. Bello Matawalle and the people of the state over the attacks.

We were with Gov. Matawalle in Abuja three days ago to discuss the issue of insecurity with the presidency when he hurriedly left us after receiving reports of attacks on some communities in the state.

Since 2014 when, as senators, we came to Zamfara over the killing of over 90 innocent persons, we thought we had witnessed the last of such unfortunate happening but sadly, the matter has continued to defy measures.

We are here on behalf of APC governors to condole with government and people of Zamfara, especially the immediate family members of those killed and to assure you that we will always be with you in this fight, Bagudusaid.

While praying that the attacks would be the last of such, he expressed the hope that the efforts of both the federal and state governments in that regard would be fruitful.

Responding, Matawalle thanked the governors for their concern, describing the attacks, which took place in the holy month of Ramadan, as terrible.

I recently discussed extensively the issue of security challenges facing the state with President Muhammadu Buhari and the nations service chiefs, all of whom have commended our efforts and promised their continued support.

We have been doing our best and will continue to do it in order to bring lasting peace to the state. The security agencies in the state are also up and doing.

In the next three to four days, we are going to take a new stand and apply some new tactics in addressing the matter, Matawalle added.

The governor called for more support and cooperation from security agencies, even as he sought for credible information from the public so as to achieve the desired objectives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a suspect for allegedly engaging in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card fraud in some banks in Enugu metropolis.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement on Saturday.

Ndukwe said that the command also recovered a tricycle used by the suspect and his cohorts for their operations.

He said that the feat was achieved by operatives attached to the New Haven Police Division within the metropolis on April 16 at about 9a.m.

According to him, police operatives arrested one Chukwudi Chukwu, 25, at an ATM point along Chime Avenue, Enugu.

His arrest led to the recovery of a yellow-coloured Bajaj tricycle with registration number: ENU 677 WW, used by the suspect and his gang for operation and nine ATM cards of different banks.

The suspect, whose arrest was due to a swift response to a distress call and his rescue from an angry mob by police operatives, is alleged to have fraudulently swapped a victims UBA ATM card.

This the suspect did after offering to assist process his victims transaction on another banks ATM, with the intention of defrauding her.

He confessed to the crime as well as being a member of the syndicate that specialised in unsuspectingly swapping ATM cards of their victims at banks ATMs with non-functional cards.

This manipulative move they use to fraudulently obtain funds from their victims accounts, the police spokesman said.

He said that there had been discrete investigation to arrest other members of the syndicate, including the suspects accomplices who escaped on the said date of the arrest.

To this end, the states Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, has applauded the peace-loving residents for their assistance in the fight against criminals and their activities.

He, however, pleads with all and sundry to quickly submit arrested criminals to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, rather than indulge in mob actions that are tantamount to jungle justice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum has condemned the recent killing of three students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong described the incident as an act of wickedness and barbaric, saying the perpetrators must not go unpunished.

The governor condemned the act, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three students were among those abducted few days ago by gunmen at the university campus.

Lalong said there was no justification for the murder of the innocent students who were simply in school to study and prepare themselves for service to the nation.

He said northern governors would continue to engage the Federal Government and security agencies ,towards finding a lasting solution to kidnapping and other criminal activities especially in schools in the region.

He expressed concern that the heinous act would have great implications for the future of education in the region and the nation at large.

While commiserating with the families of the murdered students, Lalong called for the immediate and unconditional release of the other students and staff of the school still in captivity.

The forum also commiserated with the government and people of Kano State, over the demise of the mother of Emirs of Kano and Bichi, Hajiya Maryam Ado Bayero.

The chairman described her as a loving, humble and exemplary mother , who devoted her life to instilling positive values to the younger generation and also promoting peaceful coexistence among different groups .

He therefore condoled with the royal family and prayed to God to grant her eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army says the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), on Friday eliminated 21 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the border town of Geidam in Yobe.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that troops also recovered a gun truck and other assorted weapons from the encounter.

He said the troops, who are currently conducting Operation Tura Takaibango engaged the terrorist when they attacked the strategic border town on Friday, destroying three communications masts and looting some shops in the process.

According to him, the troops stationed at the town supported by the Air Component of OPLD mounted a hot pursuit and closed up with the terrorists killing 21 of them in the process.

The gallant troops successfully recovered a gun truck with an anti aircraft gun mounted on it, eight AK 47 rifles with ten magazines as well as two Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs and five chargers.

Other items recovered include over a thousand rounds of different calibres of ammunition, one Commando Mortar Tube, 3 IED blasting devices, tool boxes, communication radios and cell phones among several other items of value, he said.

Yerima said the troops were still combing the area for possible discoveries, adding that most of the terrorists escaped with various degrees of injuries from the resultant encounter.

He disclosed that three soldiers were wounded in the encounter, adding that they were in stable conditions and receiving medical attention in a military facility.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, congratulated the Theatre Commander and troops of OPLD including the Air Component for this great achievement.

The COAS restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army under his leadership to ending terrorism and all violent crimes in the North East and other parts of the country.

He further enjoined the troops to sustain the ongoing offensive under Operation Tura Takaibango until this noble goal is attained, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Contrary to online reports earlier in the week, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was not taken into custody by the EFCC.

His spokesman, Anietie Ekong, said it was actually Akpabio who sought audience with the EFCC to discuss issues surrounding transfer of funds belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He made the clarification in Abuja on Saturday in a statement in which he said it was also untrue that Akpabio attempted to buy his freedom from custody by bribing EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa with 350,000 dollars.

Ekong described the online article entitled: How EFCC detained Godswill Akpabio for two hours for attempting to bribe the new EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa with 350,000 dollars as defamatory.

He said the article was fabricated and that there was no reason for the minister to bribe the EFCC boss as alleged.

He explained that on Wednesday, April 14, Akpabio sought audience with the EFCC chairman to discuss the transfer of funds belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This, he said, was in respect of the 3 per cent statutory remittances from Oil and Gas Companies in the custody of the EFCC.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the transfer of monies earlier paid by the International Oil Companies into the CBN and EFCC accounts since December 2020.

TheEFCC chairman granted the request and the two officials met.

They had a robust discussion and the minister received very intelligent and useful input from the EFCC chairman on the on-going NDDC forensic audit.

However, the discussion was inconclusive since the minister needed to attend a security meeting with select South-South and South-East leaders and governors at the office of the National Security Adviser on the same day, he said.

The duo agreed to reconvene later on the same day to conclude their interaction and they did with the meeting wounding up after more than one hour.

Ekong stated that there was no issue of detention, adding that Akpabio could not have carried 350,000 dollarsinto the office of the EFCC chairman as he went there without a bag or a container.

He said the EFCC chairman gave useful and intelligent advice on the methodology of achieving success in the on-going NDDC forensic audit.

He added that the minister also sought the cooperation of the EFCC to actualise recoveries of further 3 per cent levies due to the NDDC but still being owed by some oil and gas companies.

Ekong also debunked the part of the online report that the meeting was arranged by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

For the umpteenth time, Akpabio did not bribe the Attorney-General with five million dollars as alleged to get Mr Effiong Akwa elevated to the position of the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Ekong said.

He recalled that the appointment ofAkwa was duly made by President Buhari in obedience to an ex-parte order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He explained that the court had restrained named members of the Interim Management of the NDDC from carrying out their duties until the application for an order of Mandamus was argued and disposed of.

In that suit, the court had ordered that the headship of the NDDC be handed over to the most senior Director pending the conclusion of the suit.

The most senior director at that time happened to beAkwa, who months earlier had replaced the deceased Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Bassey Etang, who passed on in May 2020 after a brief illness, he said.

Ekong added that the originators of the suit did not replace the deceased Etang with Akwa as a party in the suit,hence his emergence as the Interim Administrator.

He expressed dismay at the dragging of MAlamis office and name into the appointment of NDDC interim administrator that was clearly a child of circumstance.

Ekong expressed hope that his explanations would disabuse the minds of the general public against the falsehood peddled by the authors of the false and malicious publication.

He advised the general public to discountenance the said publication, adding that it was propelled by persons whose stock in trade was politics of blackmail. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) says it generates over N7 billion revenue monthly from its coverage areas.

The Chief Technical Officer of IBEDC, Mr Akin Abiodun,disclosed this on Saturday during the inauguration of a new 2.5MVA, 33KV/11KV transformer at Owode-Egba community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun.

Abiodun, who said that out of the amount,a total of N2 billion was being generated from the state, however, expressed the regret that Owode-Egba community was owing the company not less than N300 million.

Before now, we used to collect about N6 billion but now, we have movedto N7 billion and of course, the entire Ogun region gives us N2 billion, that is, one-third of our revenue, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the transformer came after the community had suffered power outage for more than eight months.

NAN reports that youths in the community had, in January, protested theoutage, lamenting that all their efforts at replacing the old transformer, which got burnt, had not yielded any result.

Speaking at the occasion, the lawmaker, representing Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Olumide Osoba, appealed to people of the community to pay their electricity bills regularly to ensure quality service by IBEDC.

In his remarks, a community leader, Abdul-Fatai Soyoye, said that the installation of the new transformer would boost commercial activities in the community, expressing happiness that the eight-month blackout would finally come to an end.

Today is one of the happiest days in Owode-Egba because since Aug. 9, 2020, there had not been electricity supply, he said, expressing appreciation to everyone who had contributed to achieving the feat, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Chief Elias Mbam, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has said that the commission had begun reviewing the emoluments of political and judiciary office holders.

Mbam disclosed this on Saturday, at Amagu community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi, at the 7th Ofala festival and 30th anniversary of the coronation of the traditional ruler , Ezeogo Dominic Aloh, Erima-Ogwudu III of Amagu Kingdom.

The RMAFC chairman, who was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Aka Ekpuchi Onwa II by the traditional ruler, told newsmen that a process to review the remuneration of political and judicial office holders was in progress.

He noted that the commission was saddled with the responsibility, hence it would soon conduct a public hearing on the issue, to allow the citizens contribute to the process.

One of the major responsibilities of our commission is to determine remunerations appropriate for political and judicial office holders.

In doing that, the financial situation of the country, at any giving time, is taken into consideration, including inflation and the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among others.

The commission being conscious that a lot has happened since the last review, have commenced the process of another review to reflect the changing realities.

We have progressed and we believe that before the end of 2021 something concrete will happen, Mbam said.

The chairman, who declined to confirm if the salary would be reviewed downward or upwards, said that the process was ongoing and would be influenced by a number of indices.

It is a process and the process at the end determines what it will be; when we go through the process, if it comes out to be increase, we increase, if it is decrease we do it, he added.

Mbam, however, enjoined Nigerians to participate in the review, noting that there would be public hearings and invitations for memoranda from members of the public, including institutions under the three tiers of government.

The RMAFC boss, who also spoke on the diversification of the nations economy, noted that the solid minerals sector had been contributing immensely to the economy. since his assumption of duty as chairman of the commission.

He said that the commission embarked on sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to all tiers of government, as well as across the 36 states of the federation, to encourage revenue diversification, which was yielding results.

Before I came in, solid minerals was not contributing to the federation accounts, but now solid minerals is a major source of revenue, we want to focus more on that.

We also want to make agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, major contributors to our national revenue and we believe that it wont be long and we will be getting more revenue from diversification, he said.

Mbam said that the award, giving to him was a call to more responsibility, adding that the honour would spur him to contribute more to the development of the society.

He said that the Ofala festival was very important because of its significance for cultural revivalism in Igbo society explaining that anybody who lost his culture was equivalent to losing his identity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Imelda Osayande

The police in Edo on Friday arraigned a 72-year old man and two others before an Ogbeson Chief Magistrates Court, Beninfor allegedly stealing 50 units of tricycles, valued at N25 million.

The threedefendants were Ifeanyi Onukwube, 35, Chima Sunday (AKA Papa), 72, and Bethel Abraham, 27.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Iyawe, said that the accused were arraigned on a four-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

Iyawe said that the defendants on Nov. 23, 2020 atAhor Garage in Ahor community, within Oregbeni Magisterial District, did conspire to steal tricycles.

He said the defendants stole 50 units of tricycles, valued N 25million, property of Godec Power Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor said thatthe offences contravenedSections 517, 383(1) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State, 1976, which is now applicable in Edo.

The defendants,however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

The defendants counsel, Mrs Martha Imafu, however, appealed to the Chief Magistrate to grant them bail and assured him that the defendants would not skip bail.

The police prosecutor did not oppose the bail application.

Consequently, Chief Magistrate Mutairu Oare admitted the accused to a bail of N200,000 each, with one surety in like sum.

He said that thesurety must be a responsible person and must depose to an affidavit of means.

Oare also directed that the surety must deposit two recent passport photographs of himself and that of the defendants with the court.

He added that information about the suretys residences should be verified by the court registrar.

The chief magistrate thereafter adjourned the case to May 12 for hearing. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are to meet in Jakarta on Saturday when leaders of member states will discuss the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been embroiled in political and humanitarian crisis brought on bya February coup.

The discussion is to hold in a summit to be attended by the countrys junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed by soldiers in Myanmar during almost-daily protests since the Feb. 1 putsch.

Indonesian and Malaysian leaders called for a summit of South-East Asian countries, of which Myanmar is a member, after the junta failed to heed calls to end violence and release political detainees including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

This ASEAN leaders meeting is convened simply for the interest of the Myanmar people, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said late Friday.

We hope that the meeting can resultinan agreement that is best for the people of Myanmar, she said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha andPhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the meeting and will be represented by their foreign ministers.

ASEANs decision to invite Min Aung Hlaing to the summit have been criticised by civil society groups and the National Unity Government (NUG), which comprises parliamentarians that won Myanmars last years elections.

The NUG is the legitimate government that the ASEAN leaders need to be shaking hands with,not the military junta, Khin Ohmar, a Myanmar democracy activist, told an online discussion on Thursday.

Ever since Myanmar was welcomed as a member, ASEAN has always stayed silent about everything thats happened, including the 2017 Rohingya genocide, she said. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sudan has threatened to sue the Italian company implementing the Nile dam, and the Ethiopian government if the second filling of the dam is conducted without a legal deal.

Sudanese Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Yasir Abbas issued the threat in a tweet.

In case the second filling is conducted without reaching a legal deal, Sudan has legal teams, supported with international law offices, that will file lawsuits against the Italian implementing company and the Ethiopian government, Abbas twitted.

The lawsuit is based on the fact that the environmental and social impacts and risks of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have not been studied, he added.

The minister noted that failure to reach a deal would pave the way for filing a lawsuit to the UN Security Council as the GERD constitutes a real danger to the regional peace and security.

According to Abbas, reaching an agreement does not reduce the sovereignty or rights of Ethiopia, but provides it with full rights and protects Sudans interests.

Sudan proposed a mediation quartet of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and the African Union regarding the GERD issue.

Ethiopia, however, has announced its rejection of the formula.

In February, Ethiopia said it would carry on with the second-phase 13.5-billion-cubic-meter filling of the GERD in June.

The volume of the first-phase filling last year was 4.9 billion cubic meters.

Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia have been in talks for years over the technical and legal issues related to the filling and operation of the GERD.

Ethiopia, which started building the dam in 2011, expects to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity from the dam project, while Egypt and Sudan, downstream Nile Basin countries that rely on the river for its freshwater, are concerned that the dam might affect their share of the water resources. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

The Bayelsa Government said on Saturday in Yenagoa that its investment in rice production would begin to yield returns before the end of the year.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said this at a meeting with traditional rulers from Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The deputy governor said the state had since subscribed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-backed Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS) and Anchor Borrowers programmes with a view to revamping the states agriculture sector.

By Gods grace we are going to eat our own rice from the various farms we have cultivated in different parts of the state.

I can assure you (traditional rulers) that we will not buy rice from elsewhere to distribute to you during Christmas.

The Anchor Borrowers and Outgrowers programmes are very key to food security.

So, we are working with the CBN to ensure food sufficiency in our state.

We are working to see how we can get credible partners to mill the rice, he told the traditional rulers.

The deputy governor informed the traditional rulers that the governments intervention in the agriculture sector was not only in crop production but in fisheries and poultry as well.

On security, he said the present administration was taking proactive measures to prevent the breakdown of law and order as experienced in some parts of the country.

The deputy governor urged the traditional rulers to complement governments efforts at tackling insecurity.

He said a new security architecture involving all stakeholders would soon become operational in the state.

He underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and sharing in security management and directed the relevant ministries to install a temporary communication system on the Obioku corridor, with the expectation that other service providers would mount theirs own in the area.

Earlier in his briefing, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr David Alagoa, disclosed that at least 3500 rice farmers across the state were currently participating as beneficiaries of the AADS and Anchor Borrowers programmes.

Alagoa, who decried a situation where the state received almost all of its food supplies from outside, emphasised the commitment of the present administration to change the trend through its two-pronged policy of food security and mechanised farming.

Describing the policy as participatory, he said government was ready to partner communities by providing the necessary inputs for farming and harvesting, play the role of an offtaker but would not buy or acquire any land.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Retired CP Akpoebi Agberebi, attributed the increasing frequency of communal crisis to lack of transparency and failure to follow due process during community elections.

He advised the royal fathers to synergise with government to curb crimes in their communities and announced the following numbers for the public to call for security purposes: 07006464644, 08166202333, and 08039662779

Also speaking, Mr Douglas Sampson, the Minority Whip and member representing Nembe Constituency 3 in the state House of Assembly, advised traditional rulers to do away with sentiments and cooperate with government to get rid of criminal elements in their communities.

The lawmaker also advised government to carry out diligent background checks on traditional rulers before issuing them with the staff of office as some of them were only interested in using their positions to get contracts from oil companies.

The traditional rulers commended the present administration for organising the meeting and appealed for upward review of their monthly allowances to enable them to perform their duties effectively. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Chairman of the electoral committee, Mrs Ekaeret Ekpenyong, announced that the delegates in Kwali endorsed Chiya as the consensus candidate, along with all the serving councillors in the 10 electoral wards.

She said the voting was to fulfill constitutional requirements as the candidates would be flying the partys flag in the Feb. 2022 Area Council Chairmanship elections.

In his reaction, Chiya expressed appreciation to the delegates and promised not to betray the trust reposed on him, but to consolidate on his achievements.

The News Agency ofNigeria (NAN) reports that the atmosphere at the venue was peaceful and orderly with cultural music played to entertain the delegates and party supporters.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairmanship primary elections in Gwagwalada Area Council was inconclusive due to the violence unleashed by some unidentified political thugs who disrupted the process as the voting was not going in their candidates favour.

The thugs, alleged to be supporters of a former council Chairman, who is also an aspirant came to the venue after voting had been concluded in seven electoral wards and disrupted the process.

Some candidates were hurriedly escorted out of the venue by security operatives while electoral officials, journalists, delegates and party supporters ran for safety. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kwara, Mohammed Bagega, has confirmed the rescue of a 69-year-old farmer, Alhaji Alaga Olayemi, kidnapped on Wednesday by a seven-man gang.

Bagega said the victim, kidnapped in his farm at Oke Onigbin, was rescued on Friday after a painstaking search and rescue operation conducted within Oke Onigbin, Iloffa, Ekiti and Eruku areas of the state.

The operation, he said, involved the police and other members of the security community in the state.

According to him, the intense efforts and the pressure mounted by security agents forced the abductors to abandon their victim at Oyogbo village when it became obvious they couldnt escape arrest.

The victim is presently undergoing medical checkup in a hospital (name withheld).

Effort is being intensified to get the abductors apprehended, said the police commissioner.

He, however, called on the public to cooperate more with the police by offering useful information.

He assured the residents of their safety at all times, while warning criminal elements to vacate the state.

The police command, he said, would not hesitate to employ all lawful means to deal with criminals, irrespective of their status. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Imo government has confirmed the attack on Gov. Hope Uzodimmas house in Omuma Oru East council area on Saturday by unknown gunmen but failed to give number of casualties recorded in the attack.

The Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday, said few casualties were recorded after security men on guard repelled the attack.

Gallant security operatives this morning repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma.

At about 9am today, Saturday, April 24, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 and driving in a motorcade of three vehicles, accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor and attempted to burn down the house.

However, vigilant security operatives attached to the Governors house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised damage, he said.

The commissioner further disclosed that in the ensued cross fire, few casualties were recorded.

He said preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored

He said the governor has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.

He said yes, i can confirm the story, the hoodlums attacked the governors house by throwing in Petrol bomb as a result of which two cars were burnt, but the attackers were successfully repelled.

None of the building was set ablaze, however, one unarmed personnel of the NSCDC was killed in the process.

The hoodlums, while escaping, also killed a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC personnel, both in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Zainab Oyekan

His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau State were at the Al-habibiyya Islamic Centre in Guzape, Abuja, to make donations to the Centre.

The donations were part of the annual reachout of the Cardinal to the Muslim community.

This is contained in a press statement issued in Jos by Makut Macham, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor.

Lalong commended the Cardinal for demonstrating the love of God to Muslims and people of other faiths.

The governor, who accompanied the Cardinal to the centre on Friday for breaking of fast, described the gesture as exemplary, capable of eliminating intolerance and suspicion that exists between Christians and Muslims.

He explained that such interactions and solidarity will foster peaceful coexistence among Nigerians and remove the negative narratives of religious differences that have become a major threat to the progress of Nigeria.

Lalong said Onaiyekans passion for peace would continue to motivate him towards reaching out to people of different ethno religious backgrounds to ensure that humanity is respected and defended.

He described the gesture as a good step towards building bridges and demystifying the so-called differences said to exist among Nigerians.

Onaiyekan later appreciated the Al-habibiyya Islamic Centre for always inviting him.

He said in spite of the terror unleashed on Nigerians by few criminal elements, Nigerians are peaceful people, who love one another and tolerate one anothers religious, political and ethnic persuasions.

He cautioned against the propagation of the notion that Nigerians are at war with one another which is incorrect.

The Imam, Al-habibiyya Islamic Centre, Fuad Adayemi, said the visit of the governor and the Cardinal was significant and showed their antecedents as peacemakers and leaders who should be emulated.

Fuad, who is the presenter of Abrahamic Mission on NTA Network, appreciated the governor for appearing on the programme to entrench peace and progress in Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.

NDLEA Chairman, retired Gen. Buba Marwa, also attended the breaking of fast, where the Cardinal and governor Lalong participated in the sharing of food donated to the ummah.

Prayers were offered for the peace of Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Kano State Fire Service says two persons from same family died on Friday night fire incident at Zoo Road, Opposite Kano Zoological Garden, in Sheka Municipal.

Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, its Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Kano.

It said the incident occurred at about 10.10 p.m, an upper floor with two compartment of about 50 X 50 feet used as a dwelling house.

Four rooms, two palour, two toilets and two kitchens were razed down.

We received a distress call from Sabo Wada at about 10.10 p.m that fire has gutted a dwelling house in his area and three persons were trapped including a four year old girl.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent out our rescue team to the scene at about 10.15 p.m.

Two out of the victims were rescued unconscious and conveyed to Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital where the doctor on duty confirmed them dead.

The bodies were handed over to C.S.P Awaisu Suleiman of Sheka Police Division, it said.

The statement said the victims rescued alive were Fatima Salisu, 4, and Salisu Sani, 45, while the two dead victims were Maryam Sani, 19 (sister), and Nafisa Abdulkarim, 28 (wife).

It said all the victims were of same family and that the cause of the incident was being investigated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

The House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on pay-per-view tariff has assured Nigerians of its commitment to abolish indiscriminate charges by satellite service providers.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa Ibom) gave the assurance on Friday while addressing newsmen at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Idem said that a bill to compel service providers to implement pay-per-view has passed second reading in the house.

He said that the bill, when passed into law, would expand the powers of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure the implementation of pay-per-view tariff.

Idem, who represents Ukanafun/Orukanam Federal Constituency of Akwa-Ibom, said that the process to implement pay-per-view tariff started in June 2020 and would not be swept under the carpet.

I want to assure Nigerians that after the passage of the bill, the issue of indiscriminate price increase even when Nigerians do not expect and service not consumed will be a thing of the past.

I want to appeal to Nigerians to be patient and hopeful as the bill will soon come up for third reading, he said.

Idem, also the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communication, assured that the bill would break the monopoly currently witnessed in the sector.

According to him, it will open up the space for more local and foreign operators to come in and there will be more options for Nigerians.

The lawmaker said that it would create a lot of employment opportunities, noting that the number of companies coming in will help grow the economy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Projects

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The World Bank-funded Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) has inspire rural transformation through provision of basic infrastructural facilities and other development programmes to some communities in Zamfara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Bank assisted project built a Primary HealthCare Clinic (PHC) in Gurbi Community in Talatan Mafara Local Government, Zamfara

NAN reports that other CSDP projects include building of schools, drilling of boreholes, renovation of Computer Based Centre for the use of the youth among others.

Gurbi Community located at Talatan Mafara Local Government Area (LGA) has a population of over 3000 inhabitants who are mainly farmers and petty traders

The Vice Chairman, Gurbi Community Project Management Committee, Malam Abdullahi Bello at assessment of the impact of project in Gurbi community on Friday, commended CSDP expressed delight at the various projects.

Bello explained that prior to the provision of the health facility by CSDP, the people of the community used to travel a distance of five kilometers to get medical treatment in Talatan Mafara LGA headquarters.

He also revealed that based on huge demand for portable drinking water in the community CSDP drilled hand pump borehole to improve the living condition of the people.

We largely depended on well water which dry up during season and makes life difficult for us. So, we decided to approach CSDP office in the state capital and seek their intervention to support us with two micro projects.

The officials of CSDP came and conducted feasibility studies and directed us to mobilise our 10 per cent of the total sum of the project and to be glory of God the projected was completed and impacting positively on our lives.

Ms Talatu Adamu, Senior Community Health Extension Worker at the PHC, said that centre was used as COVID-19 vaccination centre

She revealed that no fewer than 127 persons took their first jam of COVID-19 vaccine at the centre, adding that more people are showing interest to take the jam in the facility.

She also disclosed that the clinic attended to over 25 patients from the community daily from Monday to Sunday, saying sometimes I received calls in the midnight to attend to pregnant women who are due for delivery.

Similarly, the CSDP renovated the Talatan Mafara Develoment Trust Fund Computer Based Centre, furnished with seats and desk as well as provided electrification, motorised water scheme, CCTB Cameras and toilet for the centre.

Alhaji Yusuf Mafara, Manager of the Centre and Chairman Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), said that the centre was dilapidated and inactive before the intervention of CSDP.

Whenever our children wants to write a computer based test they have to go to the state capital which a distance of about 80km.

That was why the community approached CSDP to help renovated the centre for the usage of Gumi, Anka, Maradun, Bakura, Bukyu, Talatan Mafara Local Governments areas of the state.

Marafa, who expressed optimism that the centre would prepare children of the community for higher education, also said that the center would be use for seminars, Higher School Examinations and and Pre Senior Secondary School Examinations.

We are also going to use the centre to run daily computer training and National Examination Council.

He said that as part of efforts to ensure sustainability of the centre through partnership, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had donated 300 laptops with all networking equipment to the center.

We are also planning to upgrade the centre to Digital Village with a view to boost its revenue profile, he said.

NAN also reports that the CSDP build a two block of hostels and equipped it with 122 double bunk, mattress and two toilets at Command Science Secondary School, Talatan Mafara LG.

Chairman of CPMC of the school, Malam Abubakar Dogo, said if not for the intervention of CSDP the school doesnt have available hostel to admit new students.

Dogo commended the efforts of Zamfara State and national officials of the CSDP for the provision of social infrastructure facilities in communities, adding that their community driven development approached was a good model for development.

Source: NAN News