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NYSC holds cultural carnival in Akwa Ibom

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has organised its first-ever cultural carnival in Akwa Ibom to promote national unity and its diverse cultures and traditions.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, disclosed this on Saturday during the ceremony at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Vamp in Nsit Atai Local Government Area for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream II corps members.

Ekwe said that the reason behind the carnival was to promote the oneness of Nigeria and bring the corps members together.

The colourful cultural carnival display by various platoons showcased multiple ethnic groups.

The coordinator said that the NYSC carnival coincided with the host community’s festival day, adding that it would avail the corps members an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the cultures of their host communities.

“NYSC scheme is a trailblazer in the promotion of the unity and integration of Nigeria and has been at the forefront of preserving our rich cultural heritage.

“Hence the introduction of the cultural carnival in the orientation course.

“Today’s event is also embellished with the Local Government Day Festival for the host communities to showcase their cultures.

“A clear understanding of the culture and traditions of the host communities where the corps members will be posted to serve is very important in ensuring a successful year.

“It is meant to remove prejudice, eliminate ignorance, and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.

“My dear corps members, I wish to inform you that though our tradition may vary from one ethnic group to another, the operational norms and cultures are similar all over the state,” Ekwe said.

In her remarks, the Nsit Atai Local Government Council Chairman, Ms Emem Ibanga, commended NYSC for commencing the cultural carnival during the orientation course.

Ibanga said that the introduction of the cultural carnival for corps members would continue to promote national unity and integration among Nigerians from various ethnic backgrounds.

09/03/2023
8.3m persons need humanitarian interventions in North East – Minister

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, says no fewer than 8.3 million Nigerians are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Edu said the figure is part of the total 16 million Nigerians affected by various humanitarian crises, with the three states worse hit.

The minister said this in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Rasheed Zubair, on Sunday in Abuja.

She said aside from the North-East, Benue in the North/Central had been tagged the capital of humanitarian crises in Nigeria by United Nations.

“We have a huge task on our hands, as we speak now, over 16m Nigerians are affected by humanitarian crises either man-made or natural disaster with over 8.3m of them based in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

“Several states in the North Central; and others spread across the country.

“The UN said Benue had become the humanitarian need capital in Nigeria, and as such, a lot of work needs to be done in the humanitarian angle,” she said.

She added that “One of the agendas of Tinubu administration is to ensure that poverty is alleviated in Nigeria in line with the SDG goal one.

“The president is coming up with a very robust program to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

“Our work is to see how we can get those in poverty out and those at the verge of getting into poverty increase to social safety to protect them from falling into poverty.

“In a couple of weeks, we will be fully launching into this plan to take out over 136 million Nigerians out of poverty as implementation has started to help cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.”

She said the ministry had come up with innovative ways of thorough verification of the social register for accuracy and transparency.

“We are bringing innovations to ensure transparency in Conditional Cash Transfer by carry out a thorough verification of the social register, validate and then expand it to accommodate more persons.

“We will be working with the World Bank while seeking approval from the President to begin the Conditional Cash Transfer to Nigerians” she said.

The minister promised to upgrade, rejig and expand the social safety net programme to accommodate more people through a transparent process.

“We want to increase the Social Safety Net for Nigerians in a transparent manner by counting the numbers together just as we counted COVID-19 cases using a digitalised system.

“We are very conscious of the fact that Mr President’s passion and true intentions are to ensure that we can lift Nigerians out of poverty.

“Party politics is over, now is time for governance, President Tinubu is a president for everyone irrespective of political party,” she said.

She therefore assured Nigerians that the ministry would soon come up with accurate and acceptable social register to curb the challenge associated with disparity in the register.

“Ministry would soon come up with a more acceptable Social Register, one that will be verified, validated.

“It will also be expanded to include those who should be there while taking off those who no longer belong within that bracket.

“We will also work with all tiers of government as well as various communities to identify persons eligible for the scheme.” she added.

09/03/2023
FG will rejig N-Power Scheme, pay beneficiaries – Minister

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu has disclosed that plans are underway to rejig the N-Power scheme to accommodate more people and ensure prompt payment of beneficiaries’ stipends.

Edu disclosed this in a statement on Sunday by her Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Rasheed Zubair, in Abuja.

The statement reported the Minister as saying that the challenges faced by N-Power beneficiaries in terms of delay in payment of their stipends would soon be addressed.

“We will change the modalities so that people will get their delayed stipends, include more people, and relaunch it with a renewed hope concept,” she said.

She also said, the ministry planned to establish humanitarian hubs across the 774 local government areas in the country, adding that would be a long-term goal towards eradicating poverty in Nigeria.

She explained that the hubs would accommodate homegrown commodities, which would be sold at cheaper rates to Nigerians.

The statement also said the ministry would send its staff to all the local government areas to get feedback in addition to engaging in digital tracking of the palliatives.

According the statement, the digital tracking of the palliatives is aimed at determining the time, location, household, and individuals they are delivered to.

“This is to ensure transparent and effective disbursement of palliatives; we also plan to bring on board independent monitors to ensure the relief materials reached those in need.

“Under my watch, the ministry will address poverty through Job creation, cash transfer to poor Nigerians.

“We will ensure engagement with the Nutrition Department, the establishment of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise and provision of stimulus to their Business”.

She assured Nigerians of her commitment to curtail the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria through a prompt response.

“Nigerians should be rest assured that all existing empowerment schemes within the National Investment Programme will be rejigged to cover more people effectively.

Edu assured citizens of President Bola Tinubu’s huge economic interventions to meet their short and long-term needs.

“Mr President has huge economic plans for Nigeria; some with short term goals while some with long term goals and Nigerians should please trust the process”

09/03/2023
Tinubu orders recall of all Nigerian Ambassadors

In a significant diplomatic move, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors, regardless of their career status.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, as conveyed through his media spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on a recent Saturday.

It is noteworthy that the deployment of these ambassadors, comprising both non-career and career diplomats, was initially carried out in July 2020 during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The appointments of 41 non-career ambassadors and 42 career ambassadors were made to oversee Nigeria’s foreign diplomatic missions. These appointments followed Senate confirmation procedures as outlined in section 171(2) (1c) and Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement confirming the recall of the ambassadors states:

“Sequel to the inquiries on the letter recalling the Nigerian ambassador to the UK, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has clarified that all career ambassadors and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Ambassadors as representatives of the country serve at the behest of the President and it’s his prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

The clarification became necessary over the recall of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola.

In a letter dated August 31, 2023, and addressed to Ishola by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar wrote:

“I have the honor to notify you of Mr. President’s decision to recall you, signaling the end of your tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom.

“By this communication, you are now expected to commence the propose of winding down your affairs, and take formal leave of your host government within sixty days and to return to Nigeria by 31st October, 2023 at the latest.

“I seize this opportunity to express Mr. President’s appreciation for the service you have rendered in your capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Principal Representative in United Kingdom.

“While looking forward to welcoming you in Abuja on your return, please allow me to join Mr. President in thanking your Excellency for your exemplary leadership and service to Nigeria. I wish you God’s continued guidance in your future endeavours.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.”

09/03/2023
LASTMA averts fire disaster around Stadium Bridge in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), led by Zebra Akinde Olusola, on Saturday averted a fire disaster around stadium bridge inward Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Taoqik Adebayo, on Saturday in Lagos.

He said that Olusola of Zone 3, Iponri area of Surulere, had confirmed that a truck ladened with gas, with registration no KRD 281 XL hit the newly erected barrier by the Lagos State Government at Alaka inward stadium.

Zebra Olusola confirmed further that in an attempt for the gas truck to force itself under the newly-erected barrier, its content (gas) spilled on the main carriage by Alaka inward stadium bridge.

According to Zebra Olusola, “Immediately the incident occurred, LASTMA officials quickly invited other emergency responders, particularly the Lagos State Fire Service and cordoned off the main carriage way at Alaka by stadium bridge for motorists to avert any fire outbreak”.

“While the driver of the truck was arrested and handed over to Police men from Area ‘C’ Divisional Police Station, vehicular movement was diverted to service lane from Alaka, to continue their movement inward Ojuelegba by LASTMA officials,” Olusola said.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, said that the newly erected barrier at Stadium bridge was to divert heavy trucks to service lane from Alaka inward stadium down to Ojuelegba.

Oreagba, however, enjoined heavy truck drivers to always use the service lane whenever they were embarking on any journey around stadium to Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

He urged the public to contact LASTMA hotlines 08100565860/ 08129928513 in case of any traffic gridlock, comment and observation.

09/02/2023
Tragedy as 4 siblings die in Enugu building collapse

The Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) has confirmed four children of the same family killed in a building collapse in the Agric Quarters in the Mgbemena axis of Coal Camp in Enugu.

The Chairman of ECTDA, Mr Uche Anya, made the confirmation to journalists on Saturday after inspecting the site of the collapsed building.

Anya noted that the bungalow building located at the Agric Quarters in Coal Camp area collapsed on Friday night around 8pm after a downpour.

He said the structure was approved for animal husbandry but was converted for residential.

While lamenting that the collapsed building was not healthy for human residence, the ECTDA chairman revealed that the structure had 44 rooms with about 200 residents.

“As soon as we got the intelligence, we rushed to the place. Four children died in the episode.

“It was danger waiting to happen. The construction was irresponsible.

“The place should never have been occupied by human beings. In fact, go there and see.

“Apparently, they claim that they are doing animal husbandry and poultry there but it turned out that there are 44 rooms that human beings are occupying and there must have a population of over 200 people there.

“The fence line was totally unacceptable, nobody does that, and unfortunately, the people we lost in that tragedy are innocent children and it is very painful,” Anya added.

The chairman said that the agency would continue to sensitise the public on the need to live a more conducive environment to avoid future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

According to him, the compliance unit of the agency under his leadership would ensure that structures erected by landlords and contractors adhere strictly to the approval plan.

The ECTDA also gave immediate quit notice to residents of the building and four other buildings close to the scene of the incident.

09/02/2023
IFAD, FG distribute agro equipment to 840 rural farmers

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with the Federal Government, has distributed N109 million worth of agro equipment to 840 rural farmers in Enugu State.

The exercise, which took place at the Michael Okpara Square, at the weekend, was part of IFAD/FGN’s-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

The items distributed included 500 bags of fertilizers, 10 tricycles, 55 water pumps, 115 knapsack sprayers, five fufu pounder, 50 seed planters and five rice milling machines.

Others were five haulers and polishing machines, 10 grater cassava polishing machines, 20 rice harvesters and 25 starter packs for confectioneries.

Also, 40 of the 840 farmers supported were empowered with POS.

In a speech at the event, Gov. Peter Mbah expressed his administration’s readiness to support the IFAD/FGN programme in the state.

Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, thanked IFAD/FGN for the partnership with the state.

He commended the organisation for its commitment in assisting farmers through its programmes aimed at increasing food production in the state.

He further lauded IFAD for focusing largely on women empowerment, saying that the approach would help to reduce poverty in rural communities.

He directed that all the equipment, which must be given to the farmers, should be closely monitored.

He urged the beneficiaries to put the items to proper use in order to realise the set goals of the empowerment programme.

In a speech, the National Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, thanked Mbah for paying off the outstanding four years arrears of the counterpart funds.

Aliyu described the governor’s gesture as a testament of the State Government’s commitment toward the development of agriculture and poverty reduction in the state.

Aliyu advocated the judicious use of the equipment by the beneficiaries, urging them not to disappoint the State Government that had immensely supported the programme.

“Please don’t disappoint your governor, he cares for you.

“That is why he paid all the outstanding counterpart funding.

“Please, use them well,” Aliyu said.

She said that the VCDP had made progress from support to market values.

She further said that the programme had supported over 4,000 farmers, constructed rice and cassava processing centres.

Other amenities, according to her, included water, solar-powered boreholes, market stalls, mini bridges, culverts for easy transportation for farmers and offtakers and creches.

Aliyu disclosed that the organisation had also used a programme, tagged, “Gender Action Learning System” to change the mindset of women in the state.

“We have made impact and we are achieving our programme development goals in Enugu State and elsewhere,” she said.

Earlier in a welcome address, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, said that the VCDP programme was tailored along market development and productivity enhancement, rice and cassava value chains.

According to him, the programme is aimed at reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, and accelerating economic growth on a sustainable basis.

Isiwu said that they had built five cassava mills and over six rice mills and created employment for people.

He disclosed that the pilot programme was being implemented in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Aninri, Udenu, Enugu East, Nkanu East and Isi-Uzo.

09/02/2023
Tinubu attending G20 Summit in India to attract FDI – Presidency

President Bola Tinubu is attending the G20 Summit holding from September 9-10 in New Delhi, India to attract private capital for the development of the nation’s critical infrastructure, the Presidency has said.

Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the summit was predicated on the urgent need to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the country.

The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

Ngelale said that the president would focus attention on meetings with business executives of the world’s most valuable companies to discuss investment in the critical sectors of the economy for the creation of employment.

“We are focused on engagements that will be dealing with critical sectors of the national economy, involving steel development, electricity generation, transmission and distribution, shipyard building capacity, and several other industries, which we know to be labour intensive.

“Mr President will be hosting a CEO roundtable, which will be made up of more than 20 chief executive officers of major industries across multiple sectors of the Indian economy to ensure that we leverage on their interest in investing in the country.

“In addition, there will be at least five meetings with the CEOs of five major industries in India, including Jindal Steel and Power Company, among a few others that would have a very important impact on our ability to develop the steel sector in our country,’’ Ngelale said.

He said that Tinubu would also meet with the President of Brazil, President da Silva, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and a few other heads of state on the sidelines of the G20.

“The G20 is a major event for our country at this time and we are going to ensure that we take maximum advantage of the opportunities presented to bring value to the country.

“To create jobs for our people and ultimately, to generate and expand existing revenues in the country to ensure the government can effectively fund and sponsor its programmes and policies across sectors.

“When we arrive in India next week, there will be live updates from India, which I will be providing daily to ensure that Nigerians have full access into what our President is doing on their behalf,’’ he said.

09/02/2023
Tinubu rejigs NDDC Board nominees, drops Akinjo, Okang; nominates Atikase, Duke

In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu has authorized changes to the nominees for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.

Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made this announcement in a statement issued in Abuja at the weekend.

The alterations involve the nomination of a new representative for Ondo State, as Mr. Victor Akinjo steps aside to make way for Hon. Otito Atikase. Additionally, Mr. Asi Okang, the previous nominee for Cross River State, has been replaced by Hon. Orok Duke.

Furthermore, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, has been reappointed for a second term. However, Dr. Ogbuku will continue to serve in an acting capacity until his reappointment is confirmed by the Senate.

These changes reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring effective representation and leadership within the NDDC board.

09/02/2023
Tinubu felicitates with VP Shettima on his 57th birthday

President Bola Tinubu has warmly congratulated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 57th birthday on Saturday, hailing him as an exemplary political leader.

In a statement released by Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman, Tinubu expressed his well-wishes for the former Borno Governor and praised his remarkable qualities.

Tinubu commended Shettima for consistently displaying wisdom, character, compassion, and bold leadership throughout his distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. He recognized Shettima’s enduring loyalty to the nation and his unwavering commitment to societal improvement.

The President highlighted Shettima’s impressive journey, which began as a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri before transitioning into the banking industry. Subsequently, Shettima served Borno State as a Commissioner in five different ministries, showcasing his dedication to public service.

Tinubu acknowledged Shettima’s extraordinary courage in overseeing Borno State for eight years, a period marred by a deadly insurgency in the North East.

“Despite formidable challenges, Shettima demonstrated remarkable intellect and innovative problem-solving skills,” Tinubu said, adding that he played a pivotal role in nurturing future leaders and fostering institutions for the sustainable development of Borno State and its residents.

‘’This remarkable public servant defied all odds in the region with a ferociously intellectual mind and an innovative doggedness to solve dynamic problems with dynamic solutions.

‘’He built high quality leaders and institutions for the sustainably developing future of Borno State and its people,’’ the President said.

09/02/2023