By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A support group for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (SWAGA23) has pledged to continue with its grassroots campaign and mobilisation to ensure his victory at the 2023 presidential election.

According to the statement jointly signed by the groups National Chairman Sen. Dayo Adeyeye and Secretary, Hon. Bosun Oladele, in Abuja on Tuesday, the resolution was made at the end of the groups Central Working Committee meeting.

The group expressed confidence in the victory of Tinubu in the presidential election and pledged to immediately embark on various mapped-out programmes to achieve this.

It urged all its members and affiliate groups at various levels across the country to be prepared for greater team work for the victory of the APC presidential candidate.

We urge our members and affiliate groups to be ready for the mother-of-all campaigns. Together with God, Victory is assured.

It is quite commendable that all members of SWAGA23 worked not only voluntarily but relentlessly and passionately in ensuring the emergence of Tinubu at the Primaries, it stated.

It thanked all delegates at the partys last presidential primary for voting Tinubu and commended SWAGA members for their untiring efforts in propagating Tinubu as the best candidate in the next general elections.

It specifically commended its affiliates in Akwa Ibom Stakeholders for Asiwaju Tinubu (AKISAT), Delta State for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (DESBAT) and the North Central Agenda for Asiwaju (NCA) support for the former Lagos governor.

Following their immeasurable contributions at sensitising the populace on the need for Tinubu to emerge as APC flag-bearer, SWAGA urged the affiliate groups not to relent towards achieving their main objective.

As the saying goes, the reward for hard work is more works now that the first stage of the process is over and won by our principal, we must embark on the final and crucial stage which is the general elections and the race to the Presidential Villa.

Our group SWAGA23 must therefore continue at the forefront of the campaign and mobilization at the grassroots for support and votes to win the race for our Principal, it said.

The group also appreciated Tinubu for according it the required recognition and responsibility, adding that we undertake neither to relent nor disappoint.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Major stakeholders in the conduct of the Hajj 2022 operations met on Tuesday in Muna to agree on measures for a successful exercise.

The meeting was attended by Saudi officials in charge of transportation and Jamrat (sites of pelting of the devil), security representatives and different Hajj companies for pilgrims from non-Arab African countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this strategic review planning was to take measures for a smooth movement of the no fewer than one million pilgrims from one religious point to the other.

The exercise has no fewer than 2.5 million to three million pilgrims participating yearly; but this year being the first after two years of COVID-19 hiatus, only one million pilgrims were allowed.

The places where discussions centred around include Muna where pilgrims would stay for the night, Arafat where pilgrims stay for the day and leave to Muzdalifa for some parts of the night before coming back to Makkah.

These places are most significant in the performance of the Hajj that all pilgrims must observe at the same time and in the same location in order to perfect the exercise.

The meeting agreed on the routes and time that designated buses for countries and states would pick pilgrims, the number of pilgrims per bus and schedule of time for the pick-up.

The meeting, which takes place every year before the days of the Hajj, was to ensure the safety, comfort and total concentration of the pilgrims on the holy exercise.

Malam Idris Al-Makura, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, told NAN that the meeting had further enlightened Hajj officials on how to guide their pilgrims during and after Hajj days.

We will take this our decisions to our other members of the pilgrims boards and stress the importance for them to enlighten their pilgrims on the measures and the need for strict adherence for a hitch free Hajj, he told NAN.

Al-Makura, who is also the Chairman Forum of State Executive Secretaries, said that decisions would reduce the discomfort faced by pilgrims because of the large of number of people involved in the religious exercise.

Hajj is a religious obligation with a journey to the Holy Kaaba, pilgrims perform a ritual that dates to pre-Islamic days and was sanctified by the Prophet.(NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Salif Atojoko

The EU ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Samuela Isopi, on Tuesday, said the EU was collaborating with the Federal Government to improve infrastructure and security.

Isopi, who said this at a briefing with business editors in Lagos, noted that it was imperative for Nigeria to improve critical infrastructure and overcome security challenges to attract investments into key sectors of the economy.

Isopi said: We are working to support the government to address security challenges in the area of farmers/herder clashes, oil bunkering and others.

Nigeria needs to create the appropriate environment to attract investments in the several sectors of the economy.

The ambassador said the EU was also focusing on investments in the oil and gas as well as agriculture sectors as key drivers of the Nigerian economy.

We want to wean ourselves from dependence on gas from Russia. By continuing to buy gas from Russia, we will continue to support their economy.

We are reaching out to the Nigerian government and other African countries as alternatives.

But we are confronted by the issues of inadequate infrastructure, vandalism, banditry and kidnapping. Thats why we are collaborating with the Nigerian government, said Isopi.

Isopi, who described the EU bloc as Nigerias biggest trading partner, said the European bloc accounted for 20.9 per cent of Nigerias trade with the world.

She added that the EU accounted for 25.4 per cent of Nigerias exports to the global market, and was Nigerias second largest import destination, accounting for 16.1 per cent of the countrys total imports.

She further noted that the bloc was Nigerias first partner in foreign direct investment, with EU companies, together with their Nigerian business partners, contributing to the countrys economic growth, job creation and wealth generation.

She said all the issues hindering investments in Nigeria would be tackled at the 8th EU-Nigeria Business Forum, themed Nigeria and the New Economy, scheduled to hold in Lagos from June 30 to July 1.

According to her, business leaders and government officials from Nigeria and Europe will seek to identify new opportunities to unlock the Nigerian economy towards win-win outcomes for Nigeria and Europe at the forum.

She said the EU-Nigeria Business Forum had over the years served as a strong platform for European and Nigerian businesses to engage with the Nigerian authorities towards improving the business environment.

This years event will focus on three key sectors: backward integration policy of the Nigerian government; opportunities to increase gas exports to Europe; and new initiatives in the agricultural sector.

While these sectors are not new, the potential in them remains largely untapped.

During the 8th EU-Nigeria Business Forum, discussions will aim to identify the causes of these hindrances and explore how these opportunities can be unlocked for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and Europe, said Isopi.

The Trade Counselor, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr John Taylor, explained that the 8th EU-Nigeria Business Forum was jointly organised by the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, in collaboration with member states.

According to him, in addition to the plenary discussions, there will be exhibitions on both days of the event.

He said the first day would feature a demonstration by several European companies operating in Nigeria on how they have been able to implement the backward integration policy of the Nigerian government in their sectors.

He added that proceedings on the second day would focus on the Team Europe project, and the investments of EU businesses in the Nigerian agricultural sector.

Also speaking, Ms Inga Stefanowicz, Team Leader, Green and Digital Economy, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said EUs objective was to support farmers in rural communities in Nigeria.

We have to drive the issue of quality, making their produce exportable. We would like to have an increase in trade, exporting agricultural products that have value addition.

We are already involved in this; looking at small holder farmers, how we can link them to the markets. To have goods of the quality that can be exported, and also of high quality for consumption in the local market.

We believe that this can create jobs and empower many families, especially young Nigerians, said Stefanowicz. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Busayo Onijala/Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday signed the declaration of the state as one of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) #CitiesWithRefugees.

The governor signed the document during the 2022 World Refugee Day Symposium in Lagos, organised by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with UNHCR.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the #CitiesWithRefugees initiative was launched by UNHCR globally on the side-lines of World Refugee Day in 2018.

It has brought together more than 280 cities in over 40 countries to call for more local authorities to welcome and include refugees in their communities.

NAN also reports that World Refugee Day is marked yearly on June 20 to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution.

The theme for this years celebration is: Whoever, Wherever, Whenever, Everyone Has The Right To Seek Safety.

It is a day when the global community collectively rallies round refugees to show empathy and understanding for their plight.

Delivering his speech, the governor said that his administration would continue to create the space and ambience for refugees, no matter their beliefs or where they come from.

He said that the state would not make refugees and asylum seekers uncomfortable, as the government would ensure fairness and equity in handling them.

According to him, Lagos State has the most significant urban refugee caseload in Nigeria, because it provides a welcoming environment where they can thrive and become self-reliant.

All that refugees are requesting is an opportunity and a space in the room. Once they are given social protection, they will indeed blossom and be willing to contribute their quota in a safe and secure manner, Sanwo-Olu said.

In her remarks, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, said that Nigeria is presently host to over 84,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with Cross River alone hosting about 41,000 of them.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, most of the refugees reside in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Benue, Lagos, Kano and Borno, while there are about 320,000 Nigerian Refugees spread into Niger, Chad and Cameroon Republics.

In the face of increasing daily influx of asylum-seeking migrants from the West African sub-region, particularly from Cameroon, due to the separatist political crisis in her southern part, Nigeria has put in place robust protection regime for our Persons of Concern (PoC).

Nigeria has one of the best hospitable environments for refugees to operate in.

In collaboration with the UNHCR, we have continued to double up efforts in ensuring the rehabilitation and reassurance of refugees security, healthcare, education, livelihood support and durable solutions, Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

She added that the signing of the declaration of Lagos as #CitiesWithRefugees by Sanwo-Olu was a defining moment with global significance, as it underscored the place of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and other PoCs in his heart.

Lagos has always been and particularly under the current leadership, has created inclusiveness and promoted hope for refugees and PoCs through favourable policies in the areas of education, health and social services, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

On her part, UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Ms Chansa Kapaya noted that welcoming refugees creates opportunities for economic, civic and social growth.

This, she said is because the diversity of ideas and experiences refugees bring spur creativity and innovation.

She stressed that in spite of the unimaginable sacrifices refugees make upon safety, many keep their hopes and dreams for the future alive.

Their contributions dont just change communities but also change the world and today, we are asking people to remember the importance of welcoming new comers into their communities.

They are determined despite being displaced and dispossessed. Their will to survive and relentless strive to improve their lives are not easily extinguished by adversity.

We can do more to reach more refugees but resources are limited and there, we need your help, she said.

NAN reports that in Nigeria, the cities that have signed the #WithRefugees pledge include FCT, Calabar, Ogoja and Lagos. (NAN)

OMB/FON/AOM/JTJ

==============

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia John

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has approved the establishment of African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation for A,fricas access to technologies.

According to the bank, this is for the manufacture of medicines, vaccines and other pharmaceutical products.

In a statement by the banks Communication and External Relations Department on Monday in Abuja, the AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina described the development as a leap for Africa.

He said, with Africa importing more than 70 per cent of all the medicines it needs and consuming 14 billion dollars per year, the establishment of the Foundation was a major development.

Adesina said Global efforts to rapidly expand manufacturing of essential pharmaceutical products including vaccines in developing countries, particularly in Africa, to assure greater access, had been hampered.

This has been hampered by intellectual property rights protection and patents on technological know-how, manufacturing processes and trade secrets.

African pharmaceutical companies do not have the scouting and negotiation capacity, and bandwidth to engage with global pharmaceutical companies.
They have been marginalised and left behind in complex global pharmaceutical innovations.
He decried that of 35 companies which recently signed a licence with Americas Merck to produce Nirmatrelvir, a COVID-19 drug, none was African.
According to him, no institution exists in Africa to support the practical implementation of Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) on nonexclusive or exclusive licencing of proprietary technologies, know-how and processes.
He expressed optimism that the Foundation would fill existing gaps when fully established.
It will be staffed with world-class experts on pharmaceutical innovation and development, intellectual property rights, and health policy.
It will act as a transparent intermediator advancing and brokering the interests of the African pharmaceutical sector with global and other Southern pharmaceutical companies, the statement said.
It quoted Adesina as saying, Africa must have a health defence system, which must include three major areas.
Revamping Africas pharmaceutical industry, building Africas vaccine manufacturing capacity, and building Africas quality healthcare infrastructure.
The statement said that African leaders had called on AfDB to facilitate establishment of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation.
It said that the AfDB president, who presented the case for the institution to the African Union at the Summit in Addis Ababa in February, said it was a bold initiative.
Africa can no longer outsource the healthcare security of its 1.3 billion citizens to the benevolence of others.
With this bold initiative, the African Development Bank has made good on that commitment.
The decision is a major boost to the health prospects of a continent.
A continent that has been battered for decades by the burden of several diseases and pandemics such as COVID-19, but with very limited capacity to produce its own medicines and vaccines.
The statement noted that the World Trade Organisation WTO)and the World Health Organisation (WHO), welcomed the banks decision to establish the Foundation.
It quoted the Director-General of the WTO Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as saying, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation is innovative thinking and action by the African Development Bank.
It provides part of the infrastructure needed to assure an emergent pharmaceutical industry in Africa.
The statement also quoted the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus as saying establishing the Foundation was a game changer.
It also quoted him as saying it was a game changer on accelerating access of African pharmaceutical companies to IP-protected technologies and know-how in Africa,
On activities of the Foundation, the statement said that it would prioritise technologies, products and processes focused primarily on diseases that were widely prevalent in Africa.
It noted that the Foundation would build human and professional skills, research and development ecosystem, while supporting upgrade of manufacturing plant capacities and regulatory quality to meet WHO standards.
According to the statement, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation is being established under the auspices of the AfDB,
It stated that the Foundation would operate independently and raise funds from various stakeholders including governments, development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations among others.
The Foundation will boost the African Development Banks commitment to spend at least three billion dollars over the next 10 years.
This is to support the pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing sector under its Vision 2030 Pharmaceutical Action Plan.
The Foundations areas of work will also be an asset to all other current investments into pharmaceutical production in Africa.
Rwanda will host the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation.
It will have its own governance and operational structures, while promoting and brokering alliances between foreign and African pharmaceutical companies.
The statement further pointed out that the Foundation would strengthen local pharmaceutical companies to engage in local production initiatives with systematic technology among others.
The Foundation according to the statement, will work with African Union Commission, European Union Commission, WHO and other stakeholders, for collaboration in developed countries and developing countries. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

The civil society organisations (CSOs), on Monday, called on the Federal Government to ensure that victims of toture are adequately compensated and rehabilitated.

The CSOs made the call at a press briefing to commemorate this years International Day in Support of Victims of Torture tagged: Archiving Zero Tolerance for Toture in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by Avocats Sans Frontiers (ASF) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Justice, is celebrated on June 26 of every year.

The Country Director of ASF, Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, said there must be justice for victims of torture.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, who said there should be adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims of toture, said perpetrators must be made to face the wrath of the law.

She said: Government must demonstrate a strong commitment to this. Justice in this respect, is a three-way traffic.

That is, justice for the victim through adequate reparation or compensation and rehabilitation; accountability for the perpetrator who should also be made to pay compensation, and justice to the taxpayer or society which seeks a reassurance that law enforcement agencies and security operatives will respect the rule of law and the rights of citizens and would subject no one to toture no matter the alleged crime.

She stressed that it was necessary that criminal actions be instituted under the Anti-Torture Act (ATA), 2017 against perpetrators of toture.

She said that the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies should strengthen internal mechanisms for holding security operatives accountable for acts of toture.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, who expressed concern that some of the victims of toture are afraid to report the matter due to fear of reprisal, enjoined government at all levels to ensure these people are given adequate protection.

The Executive Director, Sterling Centre for Law and Development, Deji Ajare, called on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of toture.

Ajare urged the AGF to adopt the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Anti-Torture Act and to budget and provide funding for the National Committee Against Torture (NCAT) to fulfil its functions.

The Chairman of NCAT, Dr Samson Ameh, SAN, said Nigeria set up the committee for the prevention of torture in compliance with its obligation under the United Nations Convention.

Ameh, however, said that inadequate funding had hampered its operations.

Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, said that the ministry had recorded convictions against security agencies that acted arbitrarily against the Anti-Torture Act.

Jedy-Agba, represented by Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, an officer in the Department of Public Prosecution, stressed that confessional statements must be obtained voluntarily, otherwise, it might not be tenable before a trial court.

She urged the Nigerians not to relent in writing petitions to the NCAT anytime their rights are violated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Igoche Mark, the factional President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has hailed the Federal Governments decision to rescind its earlier directive on Nigerias withdrawal from international basketball.

President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, had on Thursday announced the Federal Governments decision to withdraw the two-year ban it placed on the NBBF from international basketball.

Mark, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the latest decision taken by the Federal Government was a welcome development, adding however that it had nothing to do with the disputed leadership of the NBBF.

He stressed that the decision to choose who leads the federation was the exclusive right of the stakeholders and not that of a few selfish individuals.

The reversal of the ban is a good step in the right direction. At least now we can participate in international championships, which are good, but I think it stops there.

As far as Nigeria Basketball is concerned, the basketball stakeholders are going to decide who will lead Nigeria basketball forward.

Gone are the days whereby some few individuals because of their political clout and without having actual interest in basketball or without having the support of the stakeholders, come to try to run the basketball federation.

Gone are the days where basket ballers celebrate mediocrity. Now the awareness is there and it is time for basketball to move forward.

So, the basketball stakeholders are going to decide who will lead the NBBF going forward, he said.

Mark stressed that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which was set up by the ministry had a mandate which it was yet to fulfil in order to set the ball rolling for a new dispensation.

He therefore called on the IMC to ensure that the constitution of the NBBF was reviewed to make adjustments to some grey areas which would then usher in a new board.

The IMC has been set up by the ministry and I believe that they were given a task which they have not accomplished yet and one of the tasks is to look into the document being paraded as a constitution by the Musa-Kida led board.

They were given the mandate to make necessary adjustments and to chart the way forward for NBBF. So, I think they still have a task to do, he said.

He said that he would be happy if the decision taken by the Federal Government would help in reinstating the DTiigress at the world cup in Australia, adding however that it was FIBAs prerogative.

Also, Stanley Gumut, the players representative on the board of the NBBF said that the decision taken by the Federal Government was indeed a positive step in the right direction.

Gumut however stressed that the decision had absolutely nothing to do with the mandate of the IMC, which was basically to chart a new course for the NBBF, adding that they were still very much in charge of the federation.

I think it is a good step as we harness these things rather than banning ourselves and can still be playing the game at the same time as we try to figure out where the problem is and get it fixed.

However, what I saw from the statement is that they are willing to make amends even though not all stakeholders have been informed as regards this new development.

I also saw the letter signed which was from some concerned stakeholders in the U. S. and some concerned individuals as well based here in the country.

I dont however believe that the IMCs mandate has been put on hold as a result of this latest decision. I think they are still working and very much in charge as there is no federation as we speak, he said.

Gumut lamented that it was rather unfortunate that some selfish people from some quarters were trying to take advantage of the situation and claim ownership of the federation.

This for me is a very positive development, but it is unfortunate that some people are already celebrating and claiming that they are in charge, but that has not been stated by the federal government.

There is no statement that has mentioned anyone as a legitimate president of the NBBF and I wish to state that everyone who is trying to disrupt the process must desist from it as we wait to see the end of the story.

I am sure that sooner or later there will be a time line for what needs to be done. All I was able to deduce from the statement was that the constitution which had always been the bone of contention is now going to be amended by the stakeholders.

This has to be done before we can even start thinking of an election and possibly who becomes the president of the federation.

English is a very tough language and very hard for some of us to understand sometimes. So I can pardon those who read the story differently.

Regardless of whoever went first to make a statement and declare himself as being in control, that does not in any way legitimise the person, he said.

Gumut said that it was rather unfortunate that the DTigress would not be going to the world cup, stressing that the decision taken by the Federal Government would not force FIBA to change its stands.

For the girls, to be honest with you, its unfortunate that they will not make the world cup because FIBA cannot reverse the decision which they have made already.

Nigeria has lost that chance unfortunately, but I believe that going forward and since the ban has been lifted and hopefully FIBA is aware of the Federal Governments decision, then we await a statement from FIBA shortly.

So, lets wait and see the decision of FIBA, then that should inform our next line of action as a nation, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Franca Ofili

The Abuja-Kaduna Railway Fencing Sub-Contractors Association on Monday, in Abuja protested over non-payment of N500 million debt owed them by Deux Projects Limited since 2018.

The associations spokesman, Mr Onyeka Enechuku, said the angry contractors were subcontractors to the major company, called Deux Projects Limited, owned by one Dr. Tunji Olowolafe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions such as

Deux projects, pay us our money since 2018 and Deux Projects Limited you are a 419 pay us our money.

The placards also included Dr Kayode Olatunji Olowolafe, you have killed two of our members by refusing to pay us our money for the work done since 2018/2019, you are wicked.

Enechuku called on the Federal Government to intervene on the issue as some of their members were in jail due to non-payment of loan they collected.

Our members worked on the Abuja- Kaduna railway with Deux Projects Limited in 2017, 2018, some 2019 and since then, till now we are yet to be paid, Enechuku said.

According to him, the protesting contractors have been agitating over the debt owed them without success.

He said the chairman of the company promised to pay the contractors but failed to fulfill the promise.

According to him, members of the association always come from Lagos, Delta, Onitsha, while many have died others are bankrupt.

Many contractors sold their properties to execute the projects only to be deceived.

The worse part, they worked under most precarious situation as they were risked being kidnapped, after all the sacrifices their paymasters are engaging in hide and seek, he said.

A staff of the Deux Projects Limited, who did not what his name mentioned, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the company would pay the contractors in due time.

I dont have anything to say because the person they came to see is not around; so, I am not allowed to address them.

The officer they came to see travelled to Lagos to discuss the contractors issue, he said.

He advised them to call the chairman because most of them have his contact. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=================
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Edo Government says it is partnering the Royal Wood Company Nigeria Ltd. to plant 10 million trees in the next 10 years.

The state commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr Jonathan Lawani, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.

Lawani said the partnership was part of the measures put in place to bring back forest in the state.

According to him, Edo in its planned action for 2023-2028 is set to prioritise reduction in deforestation and carbon losses from illegal logging, agriculture and settlement.

He blamed them as the main drivers of deforestation as well as other land use activities including bush burning, charcoal production, mineral exploitation and grazing.

Edo state has employed more forest guards and is partnering African Nature Investors Foundation to train both the existing and newly-employed forest guards for effective policing.

Edo has partnered the Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace in Europe to regenerate 400 hectares of degraded forest reserve with both indigenous and exotic species.

Another 400 hectares of degraded land has been allocated to Captain Consult Ltd. for regeneration, he said.

The commissioner said that the states investment in oil palm production was certified to regenerate 20 per cent of the total area allocation for use.

Lawani said the measures were to protect forest tenure and resource rights as well as ensure equitable, inclusive and transparent sharing of benefits.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed/Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Ige Adekunle

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, said it seized goods worth N1.3 billion between May to June around Ogun and its environs.

The Area Comptroller, Bamidele Makinde, made this known at a press briefing on Monday in Idiroko, Ogun.

Makinde also said the command generated N12.8 million from importation and auction of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted at different locations and exit points to the Republic of Benin during its anti-smuggling operations between May to June.

He explained that the cumulative estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures between May and June amounted to N1,290, 108,608.00.

The Customs boss said as part of synergy and collaboration with sister security agencies in the state, operatives of the command intercepted illicit drugs and narcotics in the course of their routine patrols.

He listed the illicit drugs to include 117 small sacks, six big sacks, 1,100 wraps (book size), 81 wraps (coconut size) of cannabis sativa, and a cartoon containing 1,100 packets of Tramadol (225mg per table 10).

Also seized were 390 Cartons of frozen poultry products,19 bales and 104 sacks of foreign used clothes, 120 cartons of new foot wears (including 23 pairs of new slippers), 53 cartons of foreign used shoes, 122 cartons of foreign wine.

The command also seized 72 pieces of used compressors, 10 vehicles, two foreign used vehicles, four motorcycles, 289 cartons of imported tomato paste and vehicle spare parts.

The Customs boss added that a smuggled truck load of about 320 cartons (23,400 pairs) of imported foot wears, which fell under Import Prohibition List, Schedule 3 of Common External Tariff (CEF), with an estimated DPV of N764,974,800.00, was intercepted during intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations.

A fuel tanker suspected to contain 45,000 litres of adulterated diesel with an estimated Duty Paid Value of N81,823,200.00, was abandoned by a suspected bunkerer who absconded upon sighting our operatives along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.

In addition, about 10,973 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, was seized and disposed of in line with extant laws, he said.

Makinde said two vehicles laden with 882 bags/50g each of foreign parboiled rice were seized within Abeokuta axis, in line with sections 46 and 169, respectively of Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA, CAP C45 L.F.N.2004.

Makinde attributed the achievement to the commands intensified anti-smuggling operations as this had continued to gain momentum and culminated into seizure of many goods.

The synergy and collaboration with sister security agencies in the state had also contributed to this remarkable progress, he said.

Makinde commended the sister agencies, critical stakeholders and traditional rulers for their collaborative efforts and synergy with the Customs in the state. (NAN) (www nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja warned owners of plots in Apo-Dutse Scrap market to develop their lands in one month or risk revocation.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, issued the warning during a meeting with the Association of Apo-Dutse Scrap Market Dealers.

Attah, who said that the FCT Administration spent huge resources to clear the market of illegality, however, expressed worry that most of the plot owners had not taken possession of their lands.

He disclosed that the administration through the Taskforce on City Sanitation removed over 50 illegal shanties and shops.

We returned to Apo-Dutse Scrap (Pantaka) market after a short break to continue to remove illegalities on plots of land and we also return for mop up exercise but somehow we are not too please that most of the land allottees have not taken over their land.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, is very bitter and unhappy because most of the land allottees have not taken over their land.

And he is spending state resources to do the clean-up exercise in terms of buying diesel, paying personnel allowances and servicing the machines.

People who have gotten land in this place and are waiting for us to clear it should immediately report to Development Control within the next one month.

Not just fencing the land but also getting building plan approval and building on it. They should not leave the land vacant for too long, he said.

Attah said that the taskforce would recommend and plead with FCT minister to give a grace of one month, and if there is no meaningful development in terms of fencing and ground breaking for structures.

The minister should revoke the land. The only way you can get them to move out of here is for the plot owners to take over their plots and start development.

As long as the plot owners are speculating then pantaker and miscreants will take over their plots, he said.

The senior special assistant, who revealed that the minister might consider allocating alternative land for the association of scrap dealer, advised them to be patient.

The ministers aide, however, cautioned the scrap dealers to avoid operating with scavengers because the scavengers destroy their good image.

Responding, the Chairman of the association, Malam Anas Ismail, explained that the members of the association were not regrouping rather they were packing their belongings.

He said the association already wrote to the minister and pleaded with him to give them more time to evacuate their property.

Also, Malam Bala Haruna, the Secretary-General of the association also appealed to the minister to consider their request of allocating a land for them to do their business.

He said that they were over 10,000 scrap dealers in the market. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Ezra Musa

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has said that it will provide assistance to 231 households in 10 communities displaced by gunmen in Kachia Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspected bandits attacked several communities in the local government area on June 23, displacing the inhabitants from their homes

Mr Muhammed Mukaddas, Executive Secretary of the agency told NAN on Monday in Kaduna that it had concluded assessment of the affected communities to adequately cater for the needs of the displaced families.

The SEMA boss said that the assessment was done in collaboration with the Nigeria Red Cross Society and Kachia Local Emergency Management Committee.

He listed the communities affected to include Ita, Pachi, Kabode, Insime, Yelwa Gora, Rumuda, Kasan Kogi, Karmai, Maiido Kufai, and Rafi.

Mukaddas said the displaced persons have been provided temporary shelter in various primary schools in Kachia.

He said that security agencies were doing their best to restore peace to the communities.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Bayo Sekoni

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Traditional Rulers Council has commended the Federal Government and its National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) for providing improved varieties of seeds to farmers.

Malam Dantani Dantsoho, representing the Sarkin of Bwari Area Council, made the commendation at a one-day sensitisation workshop for council chairmen, clerics, traditional rulers, farmers and extension agents in Abuja on Monday.

The workshop had the theme Community Empowerment through Agricultural Biotechnology: Roles of farmers, traditional rulers, religious clerics and extension agents.

The Sarkin (Chief) said that the federal government via NABDA and the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Nigeria, had successfully worked hand-in hand with FCT farmers to provide improve seedlings to boost food production.

He pledged the councils support for agricultural biotechnology and said the workshop was beneficial to traditional rulers in the FCT.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General, NABDA, said the federal government had deemed it fit to improve food security and agricultural productivity by establishing NABDA to ensure that Nigerians benefitted from the technology.

Mustapha was represented by Dr Rose Gidado, Country Coordinator of OFAB.

Already, our farmers have started celebrating as we have successfully released some varieties of improved crops to ensure they maximally benefit from the technology that other countries have used for more than 25 years, he said.

He said the meeting was unique as the country was at a critical stage where an average Nigerian was finding it difficult to feed.

He said the reason was not far-fetched, being that farmers continued to plant on the same size of land depleted every year to urbanisation, desertification and other vulnerabilities associated with climate change.

Mustapha noted that Nigeria had embraced latest innovation in providing affordable, safe and nutrient-rich food to the populace.

Biotechnology and its tools have proven to provide spot-on solutions to most of the challenges facing agricultural productivity and, with this technology, we can undertake precision agriculture, he said.

Gidado, in her speech as OFAB Nigeria Coordinator, said the objectives of the workshop was to inform traditional rulers and selected religious leaders about the agricultural biotechnology concept and benefits.

She said it was to sensitise the leaders who would in turn convince farmers to adopt and support agricbiotech concept and to enable rural communities to benefit from agric biotechnology adoption.

She said one of the justifications of the meeting was awareness through specialised workshops, as this would help popularise the technology concept and secure sufficient buy-in from individuals.

Gidado mentioned the outcomes which also included the sufficient understanding of the science of biotechnology and biosafety regulation by the invitees.

She concluded that investment in awareness creation on agribiotech issues would deliver multiple positive responses.

Mr Kabir Ibrahim, President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), in his goodwill message, disclosed that farmers in Nigeria had embraced biotechnology,

Ibrahim gave the assurance that the quickest and fastest means of getting out of poverty was through genetic engineering technology and that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) had become a game changer.

The technology is safe and there is no nexus between disease and GMOs as GM crops are safe, he said.

The AFAN President said the fear of GM as expressed by the anti-GMO activists was not supported by good science, as he personally attended international meetings and also held several discussions all over the world.

He spoke extensively on Bt Cowpea and Bt Cotton and the accruing economic benefits to the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that goodwill messages were delivered by various government agencies, chairmen of area councils in the FCT and Council of Imams, among others.

It also featured lectures and sessions by Directors-General and CEOs of agencies and agricultural bodies among others.(NAN)()

===========

Edited by Benson Iziama/Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Ismail Abdulaziz
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has sent a high level delegation to Saudi Arabia over the additional slots request for the 2022 Hajj operations.

Already, NAHCON Commissioner for Operations Abdullahi Hardawa, has met with the Saudi Arabian deputy minister for Hajj and Umrah on the matter on Sunday.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hardawa said that the 5,000 additional slots requested has been transmitted to the highest decision making body of the kingdom.

I am in Saudi Arabia specifically to speak about this additional slots which we had requested for earlier before the start of the Hajj 2022 operations.

I immediately went straight to Riyadh where I met our Ambassador who told me of the efforts he had also been making on the issue.
However, they have assured Nigeria that the request will be granted since we had written formally to them about it. Its only a matter time that we are concerned with.

We need to get the slots so that it will be useful to the tour operators and other intending pilgrims that are waiting for it plus other stakeholders in various States of the Federation.

We did not envisage additional slots because of the time the Saudi authorities approved that Hajj will be conducted this year and also because of the cost of the Hajj, he told NAN.

He said his visit was to expedite the action and ensure that it benefits tour operators in particular and Nigerians in general waiting to fulfil the religious obligations this year. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has expressed satisfaction with the renewed enforcement activities of the FCT Task force on City Sanitation.

Bello, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the activities of the task force were aimed at ensuring the restoration and maintenance of sanity in Abuja, the nations capital city.

The minister spoke during an interface with the Heads of Enforcement-related Departments in FCTA, affiliate operational commander and field commanders from various security agencies involved in enforcement activities in the FCT,

Bello said, there would be no sanity in the city without enforcement.

All the demolitions and other forms of enforcement, especially those affecting high profile persons that the Task force did, had no reason for me to intervene.

Honestly, I appreciate you all for what you are doing. All the demolitions; all the arrests that you have done, no big man could call me to stop you, because they know I dont do so

Thats why they dont talk about it. So, just go and do your work.

What Im telling you is exactly the feeling of the Commander- in- Chief also, because we have to enforce.

Without enforcement, its not possible, the difference between us and animals is enforcement simply, and we in the administration have to try our best to help you.

Earlier, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the authorities were really feeling the impact of the task force, as their work was very palpable and appealing to the stakeholders.

According to Adesola, this couldnt have been possible without the political will and support of the FCT Minister, who always wants the right thing to be done.

I have always been seeing the face of Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister and Head of Task force on City Sanitation, as the faces of all of you.

So it is good we are seeing you all today. We are really feeling you, because we are seeing the work that you are doing.

On the service delivery platform, I am always there, and the feedback we received from you is worth encouraging and appealing.

What we are telling people now is that we have to obey and comply with the law.

I thank the Minister for receiving you personally; this is to tell you that you have all the moral support, political support and what is left is for you to do more.

Make sure you deal according to the law, and dont do anything out of vengeance. Please, we assure you of our total support, financial support or otherwise.

Also, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, reassured that the Police and other security agencies involved in the enforcement drive would not relent on working towards maintaining the sanctity of the territory.

He, however, appealed to the FCT Administration to continue to support them to keep the tempo.

Responding, the ministers aide, Attah, said for the minister to receive the task force showed that they did not disappoint those who chose them from their various security agencies and FCTA departments to do the enforcement work.

Attah added, if not for FCT Ministers strong political will and desire to stand and be very firm on what was right, they wont do much in their assignment.

Doing our job, one thing we have discovered is that there are strong beneficiaries of all illegalities and all forms of criminality in the FCT.

Anywhere we go, to even chase criminals, somebody is benefiting; you chase hawkers, somebody is benefiting; to remove illegal structures, somebody is benefiting and to remove roadside traders, somebody is benefiting.

Also, to arrest Okada riders somebody is benefiting. And when we step on those big toes, our source of comfort is that our bosses are always there to defend us.

He thanked the minister for his unwavering support and strong political will they are receiving in carrying out the job.

Most times we discovered that if not for your strong political will and desire to stand and be very firm on what is right, I dont think that we will go far at all,he said.

Attah appealed to the minister and other stakeholders to sustain the support.

I am very sure we will not disappoint you because our commitment to do what is right certainly knows no bounds. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has sworn in the 2 Chairman and inaugurated the Executive Committee of Gwagwalada and District Society to pilot its affairs for the next one year.

Speaking at the inauguration, the 58 President of ICAN, Malam Tijjani Isa, congratulated the new chairman as well as other executive members and encouraged them to be good leaders.

Isa, who was represented by Mrs Qeensley Seghosime, Council member, said that good leaders were trailblazers, they forged a path for others to follow.

Leadership is finest when it is executed through service and by example. I encourage you all to give your all in contributing to the growth of this profession, he said.

He further urged them to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to proffer lasting solutions to the current economic quagmire confronting the country.

According to him, the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic the need for more diversified and resilient economy should not be easily forgotten.

Chartered accountants need to rise up and play the significant roles in building an invincible and sustainable economy.

Against this backdrop, the president expressed confident that the new leadership led by Mr Chimezie Ogu, were capable to skillfully and successfully pilot the affairs of the District at this critical time.

He, therefore, urged every member of the executive and the members of the District at large, to readily offer the new Chairman their unflinching support while encouraging the Chairman to tow the path of an inclusive leadership.

In his remarks, Chief Nimfa Zwalbong, the outgone Chairman of the District Society, while appreciating the members for their support during his tenure said the forum started with few members in 2016.

But today the membership has significantly grown to over 60 financial members, Zwalbong said.

He, therefore, wished the new Chairman well and prayed that God almighty would strengthen, encourage and give him wisdom along with his team to make positive impacts in the society.

Responding, Ogu pledged to uphold the values and integrity of the society as well as secure a permanent office for the District.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Gwagwalada District is a young district and as a young district there are some pertinent obvious challenges.

The issue of membership, the financial base and most importantly trying to secure a permanent office.

I have made it as a priority that within this tenure I will ensure that we have a permanent office, Ogu promised.

Also on his part, the Guest Speaker, Dr Abioye Mustafa, said that there was the need for the review of the tertiary curriculum to accommodate other needs.

The focus of the lecture is the expansion of curriculum of the accounting profession to take care of knowledge gap that exists within the current curriculum.

So that it can take care of areas that are not covered because accounting is no longer a technical issue alone it takes care of both technical, social as well as moral issue,Mustafa explained. (NAN)()

JIN/IAA

========

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Nyanya-Mararaba and District Society has inaugurated new executives to steer its affairs.

The eight-member executive committee, headed by its Second Chairman Micheal Adeagbo will be in office for one year.

Speaking during the investiture in Abuja, Adeagbo said that the society would ensure it encouraged young students to build a career in accountancy for the economic growth of the country.

He noted that the district under his watch would be promoting integrity and accountability among its members.

I want to give God the glory for making today to be a reality, this is a dream come true as on Nov. 7 2020, this district was inaugurated.

Today as I become the second chairman of the district, I have a lot of plans that we will be executing with the executive members for the 2022/2023 chairmanship year.

The first we have in mind is the catch-them-young programme, we have so many young graduates who are around, we will want to bring them on board.

Like our motto says accuracy and integrity, my word of advice to my professional colleagues is to uphold the tenet of the profession and we are going to be preaching that.

We will make sure that at our district meetings, we will bring people on board that will be speaking with us on the importance of upholding our ethics, he said.

Malam Tijjani Musa, 58th ICAN President, urged the the new executives to work in unity and for the progress of the district and the institute in general.

Musa, who was represented by Hajia Queensley Seghosime, a Governing Council member of the Institute, also advised accountants in the country to be accountable and work within the ethics of their profession.

My advice is that they continue in the way of the old executives, they should work together to move the district and institute forward.

Our motto is integrity and accuracy and I want to plead with them to continue to stand by that motto.

They should not in any way compromise the work that they do as ICAN members, they should not get involved in things that are unbecoming of a chartered accountant, he said.

Also speaking, Dr Philip Salawu, Former Deputy Governor of Kogi and the chairman of the occasion, called on accountants in the country to work with a sense of probity and honesty.

My advice to them as chartered accountant is that they should know that they are the custodian of liquid assets in any organisation, both private and public.

So they have to possess a high level of integrity and responsibility so these assets are well managed, he said.

Also, Mr Peter Alemoh, the Immediate past chairman of the district, called on the government to review some policies that would encourage those in the accounting profession.

Before now, a chartered accountant starts from Salary Grade Level 10 in the public service, but now, they are made to start with Salary Grade Level 8 which is not encouraging for those who have studied to get their qualification.

I believe that the government will look at that policy and revert to status quo, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Organised Private Sector Exporters Association (OPEXA) has appealed to the National Assembly (NASS) to urgently ratify the approval of the N375 billion Export Expansion Grants (EEG) for exporters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N375 billion represents the backlog of the EEG from 2017 to 2020, whose payment was delayed due to budgetary constraints.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the disbursement in form of Promissory Notes, which will become effective after the ratification by NASS.

MrJaiyeolaOlanrewaju, the Executive Secretary of OPEXA in a statement on Saturday urged the lawmakers to expedite action on the ratification process to boost the countrys export sector.

We sincerely appreciate the gesture shown by Mr President and the Vice President to support the non-oilexportsector.

We also commend the intervention of both the Ministers of Finance and Industry, Trade and Investment, who tabled the issue of the EEG backlog at the cabinet.

We now appeal to both the houses of the NASS to expedite the ratification of the approval given by the Federal Executive Council to provide relief to the exporters who have been starved of liquidity.

This appeal becomes more urgent in view of the fact that the ratification will be the beginning of another long process, he said.

He said after the ratification, imput of other relevant stakeholders like the Debt Management Office, International Auditors (Peat Marwick) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council would be required.

No doubt, this process takes a while, he said.

According to Olanrewaju, it will be pertinent to note that the Presidential Committee on Continuous Audit (PICA) had earlier carried out a validation exercise on the claims.

He said that the exercise included physical inspection of the facilities of beneficiary companies.

He commended effort by the government to reform the EEG policy, adding that actual implementation of the policy was most desirable.

It was the report by PICA that the Ministry of Finance presented via a memo to the FEC for approval.

It is the same report that is now before the National Assembly for ratification.

A timely disbursement will help millions of Nigerian farmers who rely on the export sector for funds through the planting and harvest season for 2022.

OPEXA notes that reform of the EEG policy is commendable, however, what is needed now is its actual implementation.

The government needs to show sincerity and commitment to generate confidence in its policies, he said.

The executive secretary said the exporters embraced the new policy in good faith by investing in export processing factories and made commitments to foreign buyers.

He said that the non-oil export sector had agro-allied linkages and supports the livelihood of over 11 million Nigerians directly and indirectly.

It is vital for diversification of Nigerian economy and revenue base, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Patience Omoha

=======
Edited by Mark Longyen/Issac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Yakubu Pam, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has advised Pilgrims to practice and share the good culture they got from the Holy Land in Nigeria.

Pam made the call at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja while receiving the first batch of Christian pilgrims who left Abuja on June 15, to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.

Pam said that the testimonies of the pilgrims have been fantastic.

The Pilgrims are excited about their experiences in both pilgrimage destinations, Israel and Jordan.

The NCPC boss commended the active role played by the medical team, the spiritual leaders and the pilgrimage managers for coordinating an excellent exercise.

He affirmed that the 360 pilgrims, who left the country all came back complete without a record of absconding.

He prayed that the same testimony would be said of subsequent batches.

Pam advised the Pilgrims to go back home and share their experiences with people around them.

He urged them to spread the good news of Christ with what they had heard, seen and also touched with their hands.

He told them to be good ambassadors of Christ and good citizens of our great country Nigeria.

The NCPC helmsman also intimated that the exercise was ongoing and hopefully would be rounded off in September.

In his remarks, the Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr Dabara Audu expressed his joy for the safe return of the first batch of pilgrims for the 2021 main pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.

Audu said that all pilgrims went there for the real purpose of it and not for any other transaction and tourism or any of sort.

The numbers that went came back the same and in good health, he added.

We are happy to be back and hope to make impactful change desired for our nation.

Another Pilgrim, Chief Adetayo Haastrup, spokesman of the National Hospital Abuja, expressed happiness for a successful trip.

He said the Pilgrims had the best reception, accommodation and meals.

We were fed well both physically and spiritually. We prayed for peace and unity in Nigeria.

He advised Nigerians to be more patient and observe orderliness wherever they found themselves.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the states that went with the first batch to Israel and Jordan are FCT and Bayelsa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=======

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News