Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 Edition

PEOPLES DAILY

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Tuesday, August 2, 2022 / 4 Muharram 1444 AH Vol. 40 No. 037 N200

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NASENI, Czech in pact to boost agriculture in Nigeria >>>PG 4

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Gunmen abduct nursing mother, 4-monthold baby, demand N10m ransom

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Kano, Lagos top as INEC ends fresh voter registration PG 5

The Executive Vice Chairman /Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed S. Haruna (third left), the representatives of the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki ,who is the SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Development Strategies(fourth left), the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, HE Engr Abdullahi Sule (fifth from left) and a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Sen. Umar Tanko Al-Makura during the occasion the groundbreaking of the Permanent site of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute(AMEDI) in Lafia yesterday.

Kogi govt, Chinese officials in Nuclear Energy talks

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PDP BoT members Over 900 TB cases Fear grips traders as ASUU meet tomorrow over detected in Plateau FCTA begins week- extends strike long demolition lingering party crisis quarterly – NGO by one month PAGE 14

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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NEWS CONTENTS News

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Op.Ed

12-13

Politics

15-17

Stock Watch Business Metro

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Refuse dump takes over Minna, other towns in Niger From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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efuse dump takes over Minna, other Towns in Niger State, no thanks to the inability of the state government to pay contractors handling the collection of wastes.

Sequel to the development, indiscriminate dumping of wastes has been a major challenge in Minna, the state capital and other major towns.

Interestingly, the state government environmental

agency and its officials have failed to clear those refuse dumps hence the roadsides, streets and markets in major towns across Niger state have been turned into refuse dump sites.

Niger state Environmental Protection Agency (NSEPA), which is allegedly starved of Funds and trucks leading to increase refuse dumps however stays for days without being collected leading to more wastes dump in different areas apart from the designated places.

Some residents of the town expressed concern over the current situation, saying that the indiscriminate dumping of waste especially during the raining season can result into water pollution, drainage blocking, flooding, land and environmental pollution as well as infrastructural degradation.

Reacting in an interview monitored by our reporter, the General Manager of the Niger state Environmental Protection Agency, Habib Abdulkadir said

that the government is being challenged by lack of funding.

He lamented that the residence has refused to pay for waste collection and there is no finance by the government to continue funding waste management in the state.

NSEPA officer in charge of waste management, Mohammed Isa Kutigi said that the agency has not been able to pay the contractors for over three months which led to the withdrawal of their services.

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World Analysis 22 Africa News

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World News

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New Islamic Year: Niger Gov. urges Muslims to pray Against insecurity Digest

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Feature Sports Back Page

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The President, Àbuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Oganisation (AOIYEO), Amb. Isaac David (middle) flanked by the Newly elected Youths Leader of the FCT Youths Network, Hon. Ibrahim Makeri (left) and the Deputy leader of the Network, Comrade Deborah Issac (right), during the FCT Youths leadership election at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

NARD urges FG to implement new hazard allowance

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he President, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Dare Ishaya, has asked the Federal Government to implement the payment of the new Hazard Allowance and arrears stipulated as at December 22, 2021.

Ishaya said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

According to him, the allowance is contained in the circular issued by National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) dated December 22, 2021 with reference number SWC/ S/04/S.218/11/406.

Ishaya said that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association at its meeting and scientific conference which ended on Saturday, decided to present the Federal Government with a two-week notice to implement the circular.

The two weeks take effect from Aug. 1 to August 14, after which the group would convey another meeting and decide on what to do to drive home their demands.

He also said that a communique was issued at the end of the conference which also stipulated other demands the association wanted to be met.

“Also our medical training is just a function of the Duty Tour Allowance because just like any other person who goes out to represent the government, it is the same thing with us.

“Moreso, it has already been issued in circulars and others have started enjoying it, why can’t it be implemented for us?

“So when NEC deliberated over all these issues and considering the economic realities in the country, we felt that the government was not being serious in implementing those things they had issued circulars about.

“So, there is a need to give the government some time line to act and we could have resumed the suspended strike without giving the government any notice but NEC decided to give the notice to see if they will try to resolve this issue.

“That was why we issued the two weeks’ notice and if after

the meeting nothing is done, we will review the situation and take further actions for which nationwide industrial harmony may not be guaranteed.”

In the communique which was made available to NAN, the association is also urging the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of the newly reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) within the two weeks.

This is to enable its members to meet up with the closing date of examination registration as advertised by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

It also urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016 to deserving members as the patience of the association was waning concerning the matter.

“NEC demands immediate payment of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to our members who have been deprived this benefit since it was implemented several years ago.

“NEC demands an immediate

review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other related allowances given the current economic situation in the country.

It said this was also in line with the agreed terms from the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that it would be reviewed regularly.

The association also urged the Federal and all State Governments to look into the issue of assault on doctors and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases and put measures to forestall future occurrences.

It also enjoined the Federal Government to take steps towards curtailing the brain drain in the health sector and find ways of eliminating all bureaucratic bottlenecks in the employment and replacement of the resident doctors.

The doctors also called for an increase in funding of the healthcare sector in the country to the tune of 15 per cent budgetary allocation in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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NEWS

Ag News Editor, Tobias Lengnam

NYSC Kebbi State Coordinator, Mustapha Mustapha and NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Muhammad Kaku Fadah with Corps Members yesterday, during DG’s visit to Kebbi State Orientation Camp to address Corps Members deployed to the State . Photo: NYSC

Atiku affirms commitment to women, youth empowerment

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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he Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has appointed Ms. Lynne Bassey as Special Assistant on Gender Issues and Women Advancement.

A statement signed by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku says that the appointment is effective 1st of August, 2022.

Ms. Bassey is an alumnus of both University of Calabar where she is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Development Sociology and the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos Business School.

Her appointment as Special Assistant will make the fifth to be announced by the PDP presidential candidate in the past few weeks.

According to the statement, “Ms. Bassey’s appointment is in keeping with the promise by Atiku Abubakar to reserve a good percentage of his appointment, if elected President, for women and youths.”

Insecurity: We’ll resort to self-help if, youth group tells Buhari From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Arewa Youths Assembly has said it will not continue to fold its arms and watch the incessant killing of their people with little or no interventional effort from the powers that be, threatening that they will be forced to mobilize their members in the Northern part of the country, to resort to self-defense, if the prevailing anarchy is not halted.

This was contained in a

statement signed by the Speaker of the Group Mohammed Salihu Danlami and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The group expressed dismay that some saboteurs whom the president trusted with power, appears to be systematically handing over Nigeria and even President Muhammadu Buhari over to terrorist as it was in Afghanistan.

The statement added that the recent spades of killings and attacks in the nation’s capital,

which ought to be the last place to fall in the case of any war, show that things have fallen apart and terrorist elements seems to be reigning supreme in the land.

It adds: “We reiterated our call on Mr. President to Sack the NSA who has run out of ideas with immediate effect, a failure which will force us to occupy the NSA’ office in the next 14 days, until he is suffocated out of his to feel what we the ordinary Nigerians are feeling as a result

of many counsels in the past 7 years.

“Following the insistence of Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to continue functioning in his official capacity despite the growing insecurity and avoidable killings in our country, the Arewa Youths Assembly, wish to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack, the NSA due to obvious failure of strategy and counsels emanating from his office.”

Man seeks N17m financial support for kidney transplant

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38-year-old, Ifeanyi Onwuachu, has solicited N17 million support from well-meaning Nigerians to enable him undergo a kidney transplant.

Onwuachu, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said unless there was urgent assistance from good-spirited Nigerians and corporate organizations, he might not survive.

“I wish to solicit for financial assistance to undergo a kidney

transplant which is to cost about N17million. “l undergo dialysis at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Gudu District Abuja which is already a huge financial burden on me,” he said.

He said that the family could no longer cope with the medical bills as a session of dialysis, including other procedures, investigations and medications was becoming burdensome.

In a passionate appeal to Nigerians, governments and corporate organisations, he said, “It is with utmost humility and respect that I solicit your kind intervention and assistance in raising N17 million to facilitate the surgery. “ A medical report from the hospital stated Onwuachu was known with Hypertensive and Diabetic now with end stage kidney disease, adding that the

details of the financial implication included the cost of both donor and recipient evaluation and eventual surgery.

If you are touched by the plight of Onwuachu, please send your donations to his account number: 5001456919, Standard Chartered Bank.

He could also be reached through these phone numbers 08103662400, 08039735068, 07066802869 (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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NEWS

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has moved to partner the Republic of Czech in furtherance to develop the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI Prof. Mohammed Haruna made this known yesterday in Lafia during the ground breaking ceremony of Agricultural Machinery and Development Institute (AMEDI).

Haruna said the siting of AMEDI in Nasarawa State was part of the directives given to the agency by President Muhammadu Buhari to revolutionize farming and food processing in the country by using technology.

He said NASENI had succeeded in the development of some relevant equipment and machines in the food value chain from cultivation to planting, weeding, harvesting, postharvesting and food preservation.

He said: “This institute is mandated to build on this success and serve as a pilot site for the implementation of the agreement between Nigeria and Czech Republic on agriculture as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the Presidential Implementation Committee.

“Working with the Technology Agency of Czech Republic,

NASENI, Czech in pact to boost agriculture in Nigeria NASENI and AMEDI Lafia will research, develop equipment, and train ordinary Nigerians and professionals in the fields of Agriculture, food production, harvest and post-harvest, processing technologies, food preservation and packaging. It will also process agricultural waste to renewable energy among others.”

Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Development Strategies, Amb. Abdullahi Omaki, assured

that the present administration will continue to leverage on science and technology to drive agricultural development in the country.

On his part, the Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule commended the Federal Government for the establishment of AMEDI in Lafia.

He said the project was aimed at creating wealth and alleviating poverty in the country.

He said: “This project is geared towards transforming the agricultural sector into an industrial hub, through job

creation, youth empowerment, skills acquisition for value addition.

“It is pertinent to state that, the intervention of the Federal Government in the conception and siting of this project is predicated on the belief that 80 percent of the world economy is Advanced Manufacturing Technology driven.

“I am happy to state that NASENI has also set up the North Central Skill Development Centre in Keffi Local Government Area of the state. These endeavours would be critical in the transformation

of our dear state into a business hub and will no doubt, deepen the availability of skill manpower to match the influx of companies and organizations that have indicated interest to do business in the state.

“Let me specially commend the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI, Prof.

Mohammed Haruna, one of our illustrious sons, for his visionary leadership and for facilitating the establishment of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute in Lafia.

This gesture will remain indelible in the sands of time.”

New Islamic Year: Niger Gov. urges Muslims to We don’t fix cut-off marks, says JAMB pray against insecurity T

L-R: The Spokesman, Obi-Datti Campaign Organization, Labour Party, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Party Chieftain, Alh. Ibrahim Buni, Labour Party Secretary, Alh. Umàr F. Ibrahim, the Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed and Snr.Adviser to Peter Obi, Mr Oseloka Obaze, during the VP Candidate Press conference alerting the public of the fake Social media account associated to him, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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n the wake of the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has urged Muslims to pray for continued peace of the State and the country in general.

In a congratulatory message to the Muslim Umah to Mark new Islamic year, the Governor urged Muslims to remain peaceful.

Bello who stressed the importance of the New Islamic Calendar, emphasized the need for Muslims to put God first in the conduct of their daily affairs.

He further advised Muslims to use the period to pray for the leaderships at all levels to succeed in their quest to finding lasting solution to the security challenges bedeviling the country.

he Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there is no uniform minimum national Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score for any of the tiers of tertiary institutions and neither does JAMB decide any such requirement for any institution.

The board made this known in Abuja on Monday by its Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JAMB had in September 2021 cancelled general cut-off marks for entrance into tertiary institutions, allowing the schools to set their minimum benchmarks.

Benjamin said the board did not and had never determined any uniform national UTME scores otherwise known as cut-off mark by the general public for any tertiary institution.

“The lucid process of admission which the former President of the Academic Staff Union of University, Prof. Nasir Fagge, expounded and which was published in Premium Times is the exact process being followed in the conduct of admission

exercise to tertiary institutions.

“This process has even been improved upon with the elimination of human interference through its full automation with the introduction of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

“For the purpose of emphasis, the board conducts the UTME and hands over the results to institutions for the conduct of admissions,” he said.

He further said that before the admission exercise would commence, a policy meeting was usually held with all the Heads of the Institutions in attendance and chaired by the Minister of Education.

According to him, at this meeting, the admission guidelines, which include recommendations from individual institutions and their preferred minimum admission scores, are presented and deliberated upon and not JAMB. “Prior to the meeting, for instance, more than 50 per cent of the universities had submitted in writing their minimum scores of 200 and above to the board for presentation to the meeting for the

purpose of deliberation.

“The same applied for the other tiers of tertiary institutions.

“The implication of this process is that no institution will be able to admit any candidate with any score below what they had submitted as their minimum score,” he said.

He, however, said there was nothing like a national minimum UTME score for all universities, polytechnics or colleges of education as it was only individual institutions which set their minimum entry scores based on their peculiarities.

Benjamin also said that the board had no role whatsoever in the decision of the institutions to determine how or with what criteria they want to admit.

“The role of the board is to ensure that the goalpost is not shifted in the middle of the game.

“Furthermore, in most cases, the UTME score is not the sole determinant of placement of candidates into tertiary institutions.

“As such, the undue attention to the so-called national minimum UTME score is a major conception of many ill-informed candidates

who assumed that they have finally attained the benchmark having achieved the so-called minimum national score or “cutoff point’ for admission.

“It is, therefore, a double jeopardy for many candidates who subscribed to the popular myth of a uniform UTME score (cut-off) for all universities, polytechnics or colleges of education in Nigeria,” it said.

He said the board did not give uniform minimum UTME score (cut-off) for all universities, polytechnics or colleges of education.

This, he added, was because each institution determined and summited to JAMB its minimum UTME score after analysing the UTME scores of its applicants against its available quota.

He said decisions at the annual policy meeting on admission did not reduce minimum prescriptions emanating from the institutions except in few situations where these institutions had submitted minimum UTME scores that fell below what the policy meeting considered as the acceptable minimum score.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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NEWS

Kano, Lagos top as INEC ends fresh voter registration

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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he Continuous Voter’s Registration (CVR) exercise, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), embarked upon some months back, formally ended on Sunday with the number of completed registration put at 12,298,944 by the commission.

This was contained in a CVR update for quarter 4, week 16 as at 7am, Monday 1st August 2022 by the Commission in Abuja, yesterday.

The update, made available by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, put the number of fresh registrants

within the period at 10,487,972.

The update indicated that the registration was done by physical and online methods.

The number of those registered through online was 3,444,378, while those done physically stood at 8,854,566 While a total of 6,074,078

males were registered, the number of female registrants stood at 6,224,866.

A total of 87,083 persons with disability (PWDs) were registered within the period.

The number of youths population registered stood at 8,784,677.

According to the CVR Update, “Fresh Registrants: 10,487,972.

Completed Registration: 12,298,944.

“Type: Online - 3,444,378: Physical - 8,854,566 “Male: 6,074,078. Female: 6,224,866 PWDs: 87,083.

Youths:

8,784,677”, it said.

However, the breakdown of the CVR exercise showed that the leading state is Lagos, with 585, 629, white Kano has 569,103, with the least being Ekiti state with 124844 and Yobe state with 152414.

Hit-and-run truck driver kills motorcyclist in Anambra

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n articulated vehicle driver hit has killed a motorcyclist along IhialaOwerri Expressway in Anambra state.

The driver ran away from the scene, according to the Anambra Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

FRSC’s State Commander, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Akwa, said it occurred on Sunday night.

Irelewuyi said that the accident could be attributed to speeding and loss of control.

“An unidentified driver of a trailer with no registration number and a Sayang Motorcycle with no registration number, were involved in the traffic crash.

“According to eyewitness report, the driver of the articulated vehicle was on speed, lost control and crushed the motorcyclist beyond recognition and took to his heels.

“Three male adults were involved in the crash and one of them, the motorcyclist, was killed.

“The FRSC rescue team from Ihiala packed the remains of the dead victim in a poly bag and deposited it at Our Lady of Lourdes Mortuary, Ihiala,” he said.

While condoling with the family of the victim, Irelewuyi warned motorists against speeding.

He advised that they should ensure that they keep to the recommended speed limit to reduce carnage on the highways.

(NAN)

L - R; Mr. Adewolu Adeleke, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, DG, NITDA; Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC/CEO, NCC; Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, Special Assistant Innovation and Technology to the Lagos State Governor, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Hon. Minister, Communications and Digital Economy; Hon. (Prince) Akeem Adeyemi, Chairman, House Committee on Communications; Prof, Adeolu Akande, Chairman NCC Board, during the

FG targets 50% increase in exclusive breastfeeding rate before 2025

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he Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says the Federal Government is targeting an increase of 50 per cent in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding before the 2025 World Health Assembly.

He disclosed this during the ministerial launch of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) in Abuja, on Monday.

He was represented by Mr Joseph Ekumankama, the Minister of State for Health, where he reiterated the ministry’s commitment toward cost-effective means to eradicate malnutrition.

He said “our aim is to achieve the 2025 World Health Assembly target of raising the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50 per cent.

“We recommend early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, introduction of nutritionallyadequate and safe complementary foods from six months.”

The minister, therefore, reiterated government’s commitment to training of health professionals with information to cascade to mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding.

He added that “health professionals play critical roles in supporting women to breastfeed,

and to do this effectively, they need appropriate knowledge — such as knowledge of the health outcomes associated with different methods of infant feeding.

“They also need knowledge on the physiological process of lactation, as well as positive, non-judgmental attitude and effective communication and practical support skills.”

Sen. Ibrahim Oloreigbe, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said there was need to provide an enabling environment in work places both in formal and informal sectors to promote breastfeeding.

Oloriegbe, while advocating for the passage of law and implementation of six months maternity leave for mothers, said “we need to double our work, I wouldn’t know why it is delayed, we need to see it done.

“It is one thing to have a law and it is another thing to implement it.

“And unless we have enforcement and supportive system mechanism, we will not be able to have exclusive breastfeeding at the level we want it.’’

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the 2022 theme of the WBW — “Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support” is aimed at educating the public on necessary knowledge, attitude and skills to support breastfeeding women.

Tallen, who was represented by Mrs Christine Oliko, Deputy Director, Women Development, called for the need to strengthen, protect, promote and support breastfeeding for the survival, health, growth and development of the child.

Similarly, Dr Victor Ogbodo, the Programme Director, Nigeria Alive & Thrive, an NGO, said the group would incorporate the recommendations into its capacity development initiatives to improve maternal, adolescent, infant and young children nutrition in some states.

He said “the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria was 17 per cent in 2018, increased to 29 per cent by 2021, according to national surveys.

“But that is still far short of the 50 per cent target by 2025 set by the World Health Assembly.

“We have made significant progress in recent years but we can and must do more.’’

Also, Dr Victor Ajieroh of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said the foundation had commenced implementation of the Accelerating Scale of Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (ASMIYCN) project in Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Lagos states.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to implement the Revised National Guidelines on the Baby Friendly

Initiative to accelerate child survival and reduce infant mortality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WBW aims to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding to the health and welfare of babies and to maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction and food security.

NAN also reports that WBW started with a declaration to encourage breastfeeding and improve infant health around the world in August 1990 by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other stakeholders.

In 1991, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed to act on the 1990 Declaration, and as part of the action plan, WABA introduced the concept of a globally integrated breastfeeding strategy, and later, the idea of celebrating it for one day turned into a week and came to be known as WBW. The first WBW was celebrated in 1992. Now, it is celebrated in more than 100 countries across the globe.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”, focusing on strengthening the capacity of actors in the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding across different levels of society. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

NEWS

Group laments erosion of Igbo cultural heritage, seeks reversal

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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n Igbo Socio-Culltural organisation, the Ndigbo Royal Heritage Worldwide (NIRIH), has vowed that the reclaiming of the Igbo cultural heritage is a task that must be done.

The group stressed therefore that all hands must be on desk to leave a bequeathing legacy for the succeeding generation Speaking at a press conference, titled, “Abuja unveiling of unity day celebration,” (the unification of Igbo nation), in Abuja yesterday, the President General of NIROH, Dr. Paul Okoye, lamented that the the Igbo nation is at the verge of passing as a people without history or cultural identity.

Dr Okoye noted with regrets what he called the total erosion of culture and tradition of Ndigbo by extremists, warning that something must be urgently done about it.

The group also lamented that the Igbos are losing grip of their children while money tends to be their God. Okoye said: “We as a people must accept that our culture is being bastardized in the wholesome acceptance of the western culture and Europeanization of our populace in the process of neocolonialism.

“The total erosion of our culture and tradition by extremists has to be checkmated without further delay.

“We are losing grip of our children and money tends to be our God. No respect for elders.

“We are at the verge of passing as a people without history or cultural identity.

Our language is suffering near extinction and nobody seems to be proud to associate himself with Igbo origin.

“As the Holy Scripture says, let’s give to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what is His. “The reclaiming of our cultural heritage is a task

Judiciary Staff Newly Elected officials Oaths taken, during the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Kaduna Chapter has Conducting an Election of their New Executive in kaduna on Monday 1/8/2022

ASUU extends strike by another one month T he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its roll-over strike by another four weeks to give government more time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.

The President of ASUU, Prof.

Emmanuel Osodeke, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Osodeke said that the roll-over strike action would take effect from 12:01 a.m. on August 1.

He said that the decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council of the union held at the Comrade Festus lyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, on July 31.

He said that the meeting was called to review developments since NEC’s resolution to extend its roll-over strike action by another 12 weeks, effective from May 9.

“The NEC meeting took place against the backdrop of government’s obligations as spelt out in the Memorandum of Action (MoA) it signed with ASUU on December 23, 2020.

“Specifically, NEC recalled that government’s failure to conclude the process of renegotiating the 2009 FGN/

ASUU Agreement, deploy the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) and pay outstanding arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

“Also, government failed to release agreed sum of money for the revitalisation of public universities (Federal and States), address proliferation and governance issues in State Universities, settle promotion arrears, and release withheld salaries of academics.

“Also in the agreement is failure to pay outstanding thirdparty deductions led to the initial declaration of the roll-over strike on Feb. 14, 2022,” he said.

According to him, NEC viewed with seriousness the recent directive given by the President and Visitor to all Federal Universities that the Minister of Education, in consultation with other government officials, should resolve the lingering crisis and report to him within two weeks.

Osodeke, however, expressed worry why it had taken five full months and needless muscleflexing for government to come to the realisation of the need for honest engagement.

“NEC acknowledged the growing understanding of the issues and the groundswell of support for the union’s principled demand for a globally competitive university education in Nigeria.

“Nigerian universities must not be reduced to constituency projects that merely exist on paper and our scholars must be incentivized to stay back and do what they know best.

“NEC appreciated the historic nationwide protest of July 26th and 27th organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to further create awareness on the antics of the Nigerian ruling class to destroy public education.

“ASUU renews its commitment to the struggles of NLC in championing the cause of the working and suffering Nigerians.

“NEC observed that nonsigning of the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement more than one month after it was concluded by Prof. Nimi Briggsled Committee is further tasking the patience of ASUU members nationwide,” the statement read in part.

The president also said

that the on-going trial of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, on allegation of fraud had vindicated ASUU’s rejection of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS).

According to him, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is enjoined to release reports of the latest tests on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) vis-a-vis IPPIS without further delay.

He, therefore, said that the ASUU would resist any attempt to truncate the deployment of UTAS with all legitimate means available to the union.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union had been on strike since Feb. 14, over alleged refusal of the government to keep to agreement entered with the union.

The union demands included implementation of the 2009 FGN/ ASUU renegotiation Agreement, deployment of UTAS, payment of outstanding arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), promotion arrears, and release withheld salaries of academics.

(NAN)

Lalong fumes over attack on Danda Chugwui, orders killers’ arrest From Yusuf Mairiga Shekarau, Jos

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he Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed angst over the attack on Danda Chugwi village of Vwang in Jos South Local Government where some persons were reportedly killed and others injured.

Governor Lalong described

the incident as callous and condemnable and also directed security forces to ensure that those behind the attack are apprehended and punished according to the laws of the land.

He said the action of the attackers is yet another desperation by crises merchants to instigate disharmony, suspicion, fear and orchestrate agony among

the people leading to further violence.

According to the Governor, security agencies including the Police, Operation Safe Haven, DSS, Operation Rainbow have been tasked to work with the local intelligence and ensure that those behind this wicked act are fished out.

While sympathising with the families of those killed and those injured, Lalong directed the State

Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ensure that soccur is given to those affected and the community.

The Governor urged citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies, the traditional institution, community leaders and others community security architecture in supporting Government towards making exposing criminals.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 7

CRIME NEWS

Sales rep docked for allegedly stealing employer’s N6.3M

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sales representative, Victor Okuode, has appeared before an Ikeja Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing his employer’s N6.3 million.

Okuode, 45, who resides at 9, Kofowora St., Awori Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp Raphael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in June at No. 76, Adeniyi Jones,

Ikeja.

Donny said that the defendant defrauded his employer, Post Chemicals Industries Ltd., of the sum of N6.3 million, being proceeds of sales.

The prosecutor said that it was discovered that the money was missing after the company’s accounts were audited.

He alleged that the defendant diverted the money to his own

personal use.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 287 and 335 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs.

A.O. Odubayo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Odubayo adjourned the case until August 10 for mention. (NAN)

Gunmen abduct nursing mother, 4-month-old baby, demand N10m ransom From Ahmad Bauchi

Muhammad,

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ome suspected gunmen have abducted a nursing mother, 4-month-old baby and two others from Rafin Ciyawa village, in Ningi Local Governmment Area of Bauchi State.

Chairman of Ningi Local Government Area Mamuda Hassan Tabla, and Police Public Relations Officer SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, separately confirmed the incident.

Eyewitness revealed that the gunmen invaded the village on the night of Thursday, 28th July at about 2 am during which the gunmen abducted one male, a nursing mother with her baby and another person.

According the Police Spokesman Wakil:” the gunmen went to the house of one Mr Nnami Sunday a businessman at Rafin Ciyawa village in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State took away his wife, Mrs Mercy Nnami 42 years old with her 4 months old baby boy and a sales boy, one Bala Ali who is 27 years old.

“On receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Sanda directed the DPO of Ningi, Burra and the Area Commander to commence discreet investigations, Presently, the Command and a group of vigilantes have been dispatched to the forests to comb the area for possible rescue of the victims.

Other sister security agencies are collaborating with the Police on the rescue mission”.

L-R: Former President Goodluck Jonathan ; former First Lady , Turai Yar’Adua ; the couple , Shehu and Yacine Yar’adua ; the brides mother ,Aishia Nur Sheriff and the first Lady Aisha Muhammadu Buhari at the wedding ceremony of Shehu , the son of the former president Shehu Musa Yar’Adua held at the International Conference Center , Abuja yesterday

Trader bags 6 months in jail for impersonation

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Magistrate Court in Jos has sentenced a 31-yearold trader, Yusuf Ibrahim, to six months imprisonment for impersonation.

The Magistrate, Tapmwa Gotep, sentenced Ibrahim following a guilty plea.

Gotep however gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine.

“This judgement would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such criminal acts,” said Gotep.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Ijuptil Thawar, told the court that the case was reported by some police officers on May 5, at the Rantya Police Station .

The prosecutor told the court

that the convict was seen fully dressed in police camouflage with a black belt and a pair of desert boots, claiming to be taking a snap shot.

Thawar said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 141 (1) of Plateau Penal Code Law. However, Chairman of Ningi, Mamuda Hassan Tabla recalled that 24 hours after the abduction, the kidnappers released the nursing mother and the baby, after some amount was paid but are holding onto the businessman demanding the sum of N10m before they will release him.

In another development, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen believed to be kidnappers abducted another businessman,

Alh Ali Dogonruwa in his house located in Dogonruwa village in Ningi LGA, last Saturday.

Tabla, who confirmed the development, noted that he received the information with great shock and apprehension considering that he was trying to sort out a previous case before this one.

He said that as a Council, a tight security measure has been put in place to ensure that all those in captivity with the kidnappers were safely released as well as ensure that such did not happen again in the area.

The Council Chairman said that the unknown gunmen are resurfacing in the area because of the rainy season which has turned the forest green everywhere

thereby taking advantage to operate.

He lamented that because of the muddy nature of the terrain, security agents can no longer enter the bushes to comb it unlike they do during the dry season.

Chairman therefore appealed to the State Government to deploy more well-armed security personnel, particularly soldiers to the area.

He expressed confidence that with more armed personnel, there will be effective patrol and combing of the entire forest to smoke out the bandits from their hiding areas as was done in the previous years which yielded positive results as the bandits fled the area thereby making the area peaceful. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 8

NEWS

Insecurity: Buhari’s Hausa political singer, Education Rarara, organises special prayer in Kano remains From Mustapha Hodi, Kano

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orried by rising insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria, a popular Hausa political singer, Dauda Adamu Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, has organized a special prayer session in Kano State.

Rarara organized the prayer session in Kano state on Monday, under the umbrella of his newly established association, 13x13.

Speaking at the occasion, Rarara said the issue of insecurity

bidevilling Nigeria request devine intervention, that is why he decided to hold the prayer session.

According to him, the event is not in any way connected to politics, but to seek God’s intervention against security challenges, despite the government’s efforts to tackle it.

Rarara, who also sings for other politicians, especially in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC noted that peace is indispensable, especially as the country is heading to general elections in 2023.

He added that without peace, development would not be possible, adding that “even our businesses will not be possible.”

“We have gathered here to pray against rising insecurity in our beloved country, especially our northern region.

“Everybody is worried about the security situation in this country. There are a lot of efforts by the governments at all levels, but we need God’s intervention.

“That is why we are here to pray, to read the complete Qur’an and pray to God to help us with

peace and harmony in our country, so that we continue to grow from all spheres of development,” Rarara said.

He also said that the event was an avenue for Kannywood industry artists to meet with one another and strengthen the existing relationship in the industry.

Peoples Daily reports that the event, which included recitation of complete Qur’an and slaughtering of camels, was greeted by virtually all Kannywood artists from across the states in the North.

Police Intelligent Response Team (IRT) Commander, DCP Tunji Disu, won Veteran Judo fighter Silver medal during 33rd US open Judo Championships held in US on Sunday.

11 farmers’ associations in Nasarawa get tricycles

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leven farmer’s associations in Nasarawa State got a N1.5 million tricycle each on Sunday in Lafia to address their members’ transportation problems, increase their income and their livelihoods.

The associations were selected from five local government areas of the state – Lafia, Doma, Karu, Nasarawa and Wamba.

The tricycles, costing a total of N16.5 million were given on the platform of the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural

Development-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD- VCDP).

Dr Eunice Adgidzi, Nasarawa State Coordinator of VCDP, told the farmers to use the tricycles to transport their farm produce and also use them for other commercial activities.

She said the provision of tricycles was made possible through IFAD’s COVID-19 Rural Poor Stimulus Facility grant.

She explained that IFAD provided 70 per cent of the total cost while each group paid 30 per cent to enable them to benefit.

“IFAD provided N11.5 million which is 70 per cent of the total cost while the beneficiaries paid N5 million, 30 per cent of the cost.

“IFAD paid N1,050,000 for each tricycle while each group paid N450, 000 to enable it to benefit.

“We distributed fertiliser, seedlings and other farming inputs to the farmers free, but for equipment, they have to pay a token as part of their commitment,’’ she said.

The coordinator added that the project aimed at improving

the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on sustainable basis.

She expressed gratitude to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his continued support to the project and assured that the state would get excellent result and improved output.

Responding on behalf of the farmers, Bala James-Ewuga of Akwa Rice Irrigation Farmers Ltd. thanked the government for the support and promised to use the tricycles judiciously. (NAN)

bedrock in society -Principal From David Hassan, Gombe

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he principal Kanadi Academy Gombe Mr. Joseph Bwali Ishaya has said education remain the bedrock in every society, hence the need to strengthen the system.

Mr. Ishaya made this known in an interview with Journalists in his office during the speech and prize giving day and graduation ceremony at the weekend in Gombe.

He commended the graduands of their stewardship that they rendered in the school adding that their commitment have made the school proud.

The principal while calling on the graduating students to remain focused said anywhere they found themselves they should serve as good ambassadors of Kanadi Academy.

He appreciated the parents for giving out the best to ensure that fees and Levies of their wards are being paid.

Also speaking, the head boy of the school who won overall best Mr. Abdulrahman Iliyasu said he felt honoured for what God has done in his life which he lacks words to say.

“I want to use this medium to thank God, my parents and of course my principal for finding their time to encourage me in my education pursuit which today is a testimony I have nothing than to thank them immensely”, he said.

The father of the outgoing head boy who is also a newspaper distributor in Gombe Mr. Iliyasu Hamman told Journalists in an interview that the success of his child while in school was based on orientation which he took as priority to encourage him to work hard.

He said he cannot end his discussion without thanking the principal of the school for the support he has shown by putting his child in the right direction.

While commending the performance of his son, he assured that God willing he will do his best to ensure that he sponsored his child to masters level in university.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 9

NEWS Governor Inuwa pledges succour to flood victims in Funakaye

NMA urges FG to beef up A security in FCT T

By Stanley Onyekwere

he Nigeria Medical Association, FCT Chapter, has appealed to the Federal Government to beef up security in the FCT, following recent threats in the environs.

The Chairman of NMA FCT Chapter, Dr Enema Amodu, made the appeal on Sunday at a news conference to unveil programmes lined for the 2022 Scientific Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association.

He said: “Lately, there had been bold incursions into the FCT, and this would negatively impact on the socio-economic indices of the FCT, and by extension the nation at large.”

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take very definite measures to curb the evolving menace within FCT and its environs.

The Chairman also said the programmes lined up for the 2022 week-long Scientific Conference/ AGM would be a unique one where issues on health insurance would be discussed.

He said the theme for the 2022 Scientific Conference/AGM would be mainly on the National Health Insurance Authority Act, a bill he said was before the National Assembly, sponsored by Sen Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

According to him, the importance of the health insurance act could not be over emphasised if Nigeria must achieve a broader universal health coverage to change the narrative of the health sector.

He said other issues which continue to stifle the development of the health sector like intraprofessional rivalry would also be discussed.

“This AGM will be an opportunity for us to take stock of the situation, and our activities as doctors and healthcare providers.

“This AGM will also witness election of new officers to take over the mantle of leadership; as there can only be one person per time, I call on all contestants to play politics devoid of malice and bitterness.

“NMA belongs to all of us, and at the end of the day, NMA will win,” he stressed. (NAN)

Gombe State government delegation, led by the Commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, yesterday visited some communities affected by the recent flood disaster in Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government area.

Recall that a three-year-old child died while his two-year-old sibling was critically injured following an early morning downpour that wreaked havoc in some areas of Bajoga town, including SharaMansur and Bodoriyel.

The sympathy and assessment visit by the state government team followed Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s directive to the

Ministry of Environment, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and relevant agencies to immediately move in and carry out on the spot assessment of the damage as well as provide succour to ease the suffering of the victims.

Other members of the State’s delegation included Commissioner of internal Security, Hon Adamu Dishi Kupto, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Sule Bage, representative of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) among others.

The delegation upon arrival was received and conducted round the affected areas by the Chairman of Funakaye local government council, Alh Ibrahim Cheldu and other stakeholders.

In his remarks during the visit,

Hon Madugu conveyed Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s condolences and sympathies over the lives lost and the damages caused by flood in the affected Local Government.

“The essence of our visit today is to primary condole with you over this natural disaster that engulfed your communities as well as assess the level of damages caused with a view to developing an interventional recommendation to government so as to bring succour to the victims”.

He said, “His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya would have personally visited you but directed us to be here on his behalf because he travelled outside the State for an official engagement”, Hon Madugu stressed.

He urged the flood prone vommunities to heed and abide by the flash flood predictions and warnings by the Nigeria Meteorological agency (NIMET).

In his response, Chairman, Funakaye local government council, Alh Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu lauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his prompt response in identifying with the affected communities and assured of his council’s readiness to support his administration at all times.

The delegation also visited the Emir of Funakaye, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muazu Mohammed Kwairanga and also condoled with the monarch over the natural disaster that struck his community.

Communities visited include Shara Mansur, Jillahi among others.

L-R: President, Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State, Justice Mashud Abass, Institute Secretary, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abubakar Maidama, Principal Studies Fellow of NJI, Barr. Shamsudeen Abdulrahman and the Administrator NJI, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, during the opening ceremony of the National Workshop on Court Services for Court Registrars, Commissioners of Oath, Court Clerks, Bailiffs and Process Servers, held at NJI, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NECA appoints new DG

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he Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has appointed Mr Adewale Oyerinde, as DirectorGeneral of the association, effective August 1, 2022.

NECA’s President, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, made this known in a statement, on Sunday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the position of Director-General became vacant following the demise of late Dr Timothy Olawale, in September, 2021.

Adeniyi said that Oyerinde was expected to build on the legacies of professionalism and excellent service that the association was known for, and take it to greater heights.

He said that Oyerinde was the Deputy-Director and Head of Membership Services of the association.

Oyerinde joined NECA in 2010, and has worked in various capacities in the Social, Economic and Labour Affairs Department and also the Learning and

Development Department of the Association.

He has over 16 years’ experience in Industrial and Human Resources (HR), Business Development, Stakeholders Management and key areas of Employers’ Federation/Business Membership Organisation Management.

Oyerinde, according to the statement, is an HR thoughtleader and International Labour Organisation (ILO) trained Master Trainer He is also a United Nations

Industrial Development Organisation-trained ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), ISO 1400:2015 Lead Auditor.

Oyerinde holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos.

He is an alumnus of the International Training Centre of the ILO and full member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management among others. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 10

NEWS

By Stanley Onyekwere

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hina’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jian Chun has expressed that his country was passionate about exploring viable areas of partnership including Nuclear Energy in Nigeria, specifically in Kogi state.

Chun noted that his key interest as the Ambassador was to facilitate China’s investment and also utilize China’s technology for the benefit of Nigeria and certain states like Kogi, and that Nuclear Energy would further attract investment to the state, improve its infrastructure, tax revenue, job creation and attract vast social economic developments.

The Ambassador who was accompanied to the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja on Monday by delegations from the China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) noted that he was hopeful that the meeting would birth a historical moment, where the CNNC could be able to establish one of its two Proposed Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the state.

He mentioned that China was a leading reference in areas of modern infrastructures amongst the international community and that although both countries had an existing relationship with so

Schools closure insensitive to children’s future, says CSO

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he Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has expressed displeasure at the closure of unity schools across the country.

The National Moderator of CSACEFA, Mr Sale Abdullahi said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Abdullahi said that Nigerian children had witnessed horrific moments in the heat of attacks on learning facilities across the country arising from the activities of bandits.

“The past weeks have witnessed waves of school closures across the country, both secondary and tertiary.

“Bandits have made good their threats of holding the nation to ransom as they continue with their nefarious acts unchallenged.

“Since the Chibok incident in 2014, where over 276 students were abducted in the North East region, the crisis has fast spread to the North West and North Central regions through countless other attacks on soft targets,” he said.

Abdullahi said that the bandits were demanding huge ransoms and in some cases killing the innocent victims who should be in the safe custody of their guardians or parents with government making promises of securing their release albeit to no effect.

“According to United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) as of today, over 11,536 schools

Kogi govt, Chinese officials in Nuclear Energy talks, others much achieved, states like Kogi could benefit from China’s vested interest in modern infrastructure, Information Communication Technology, industry, Investments and import/exports opportunities.

Chun asserted that he was hopeful that China which was the world’s largest consumption market could in the nearest future have a

policy where Nigeria particularly states like Kogi could export more products into the Chinese Market.

The China Ambassador pledged to establish a department of nuclear energy at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara and other institutions as part of plans to nurture local breed in the field adding that the Kogi government

should similarly encourage and facilitate some of its young Engineering talents for exchange programmes in the country.

While fielding questions from their Presentation, representatives of the CNNC revealed and emphasized that nuclear energy was a safe technology for humans, plants and the environment.

Governor Bello in his address while thanking the Chinese Ambassador, Chun for finding Kogi State worthy of such recommendation added that the meeting was between two sincere governments who were both interested in the advancement of the people.

He said that after their

L-R: Director Training, The Electoral Institute, Dr. Binta Mohammed Kassim, Director General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, Chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru and Country Director of IFES, Mr. Seray Jah, during the Opening ceremony of the TEI Post Election Training Audit for Ekiti and Oun Governorship Elections, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG pledges support to NCWS in promoting women cause

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he Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, on Monday pledged the support of the Federal Government to the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) in promoting the cause of women in the country.

Mustapha said this when the President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, led members of the Women in National Service (WINSERVE) Week Implementation Committee on a visit to his office in Abuja.

Mustapha described women as the backbone of a nation who need the support of every stakeholder to

achieve their aspirations, especially the protection of women and children’s rights.

He said that government would do everything within its capacity to ensure the success the NCWS project focusing on celebrating the outstanding women in national service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCWS is organising WINSERVE 2022 week, with the theme: “Celebrating our mother, recognising our amazons’’.

Mustapha said women are making the country proud in their various fields of endeavours.

He said, “I am pleased with the

partnership between NCWS and the Federal Government towards tackling the critical challenges we are presently faced with.

“Challenges such as gender bias, drugs and other substances, out-of-school children, youth and unemployment and other related social vices.

“I believe that this partnership should and must yield positive results,’’ he said.

Mustapha thanked the NCWS president for recognising his effort in the COVID-19 response committee, adding that there was an upsurge of gender-related violence during the pandemic.

He advised the NCWS president to carry out trauma exercise for women and children, adding that this would help to cushion of the COVID-19 experience.

Earlier, Lau said that the visit by the delegation was significant and unique.

She said that the visit was a “vote of confidence’’ to a man of excellence, a patriotic public servant, a cerebral lawyer and selfless politician in the true sense of the word.

“Nigerian women are watching you with great admiration and appreciation, since you took over as SGF, the prestige and dignity of the office has been restored.

Buhari pledges” better life” for Nigerian judges

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resident Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week, expressed reservations over the degenerated welfare and working conditions of the nation’s judiciary, saying it was serious and would be addressed.

He said this would be done despite the dire state of the country’s economy “currently battling insecurity, corruption and economic challenges,” aggravated by the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.

Buhari stated this when he hosted the chairman and representatives of the Body of Benchers, a body of legal practitioners of “the highest distinction in the legal profession” in the State House,

Abuja, on Thursday.

According to the president, a democratic government like the one he leads, “standing on a tripod comprising the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, cannot stand where one of its three pillars, the Judiciary is not properly nurtured, maintained and sustained to deliver on its very pivotal constitutional duties.”

The president had earlier on July 25 hosted outgoing President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

He lauded him for the role he played in ensuring that the sub-regional body remained united.

Buhari said: “You showed great commitment to the unity of ECOWAS, and of the sub-region. ”Your tenure has been very successful, and I wish you and the family more successes ahead.”

The president departed Abuja on Tuesday for Monrovia, Liberia, to attend the 175th independence anniversary of the country.

Buhari, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, joined other world leaders and organisations to rejoice with

the people of Liberia at the event with the theme: “Fostering Unity, Protecting Our Peace for Development and Prosperity.”

Nigeria played a leading role in the stabilisation of the West African nation in the early 90s, leading to the establishment of democratic rule and has continued to assist the country in many ways, especially through the Technical Aids Corps scheme.

At the event in Monrovia, Buhari called on leaders in West Africa to do all within their powers to ensure that elections were conducted in their countries in an atmosphere of trust, freedom and transparency.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

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Take it easy

he Federal Government has threatened to penalize the BBC over a documentary made by its investigations programme Africa Eye about the so-called bandit warlords of Zamfara. Trust TV also has the threat dangling over its head.

prison in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), freeing hundreds of inmates. Last week, the government shut down its unity colleges in the FCT because of threatened attacks by terrorists.

Their students were in the midst of graduation exams.

Information Minister, The increasing attacks by Lai Mohammed, alleged the bandits and terrorists are documentary “The Bandit Leaders happening not because the in Zamfara” glorifies the militants’ government is lax in stopping actions which have terrorized them. For sure, the military and residents in the state over the other security forces are doing years. He said the penalties against their best. The problem simply is BBC would be set by the National that the terrorists are embedded Broadcasting in the population, Commission.

Its making it hard for public affairs director troops to attack has told the BBC without incurring that sanctions will collateral damage The increasing attacks by be communicated to among civilians. the corporation and bandits and terrorists are Also, the bandits a local newspaper, happening not because earn millions from Daily Trust, if they the government is lax in ransom demands are found guilty stopping them. For sure, the that keep them of breaching the military and other security better supplied in journalism code forces are doing their best. terms of arms and of conduct. In a The problem simply is that materials. statement, the BBC the terrorists are embedded said Africa Eye H o w e v e r , “often deals with in the population, making s t o p p i n g controversial and it hard for troops to attack journalists from complex subjects.” without incurring collateral reporting the It also said the story damage among civilians terror is hardly the was overwhelmingly right way to stop in the public interest and that it the criminals. It is true, covering stood by its journalism. their violent actions gives them unsolicited publicity. But this also The documentary, already helps the government because it widely discussed among Nigerians is an opportunity to see the faces for the last several days, has and hear the voices of terror come at a time when locals are first hand. The military often becoming increasingly jittery complains that it is not getting over the government’s seeming intelligence from the population inability to stop daring attacks in which the terrorists and bandits by bandits and terrorists. Lately, live. But here is the intelligence they have launched deadly attacks offered free of charge. We urge the and ambushes right in Abuja, the government to take it and allow capital city. In July, they attacked journalists to do their legitimate a highly fortified medium security job without let or hindrance.

“

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Woman’s religion, marriage choives

By Jude Eze.

O

ver the years, natural scientists had insisted that our body is 60% water, and so had social anthropologists been establishing that religion influences 60% of our actions and idiosyncrasies The same way, social scientists teach that man is homo-politico (political being), these anthropologists add that Man is also homo-religiosus (he is inborn religionist).

Consequently, religious convictions, without appeal to any particular sex, inform people’s daily choices. And the choice of who becomes their spouses is not exempted in this respect.

Inadvertently, it expresses itself, in the decisions of, to whom we commit our future as spouse.

So, how did we arrive at the conclusion that women ought not have church/religion until they’re married?

Saying that are not entitled to have religion/church until they’re married is the same as saying that women’s salvation depends on their husband, not on themselves and Christ. If such postulation is true, then it follows that they don’t have souls till they are married. And their souls (which comes into being on their wedding day) and its eternal destination is tied to that of their husbands.

So funny!

The other day, a bride cancelled out her wedding, when she realized her man is of a different sect/ denomination from hers.

She refused to compromise her decision that she can only marry a man who is a member of her church, where she believed her salvation race is better serviced.

And everyone condemned her! Insults poured in drones. She’s foolish, stupid, religion has done harm to Africa, bla bla bla.

I know as you read this, you may be arguing in your heart - “church doesn’t matter, religion won’t take anyone to heaven.”

My dear, let me shock you, church actually matters, and even if religion can’t take you to heaven, it can take you to hell.

It’s people who hold such opinion as you that felt so free attending any church they see, till they patronized Pastor Emeka Ezeugo (Reverend King’s) church - Christian Praying Assembly in Lagos and got bastardized by the cannibalistic pastor.

Religion doesn’t matter, but Eddie n’ Nawgu, whom members of his church nicknamed in Igbo: “Ejima Jesus” - “Jesus’ twin” confessed to having killed severally for money rituals in his ‘church’.

You support the statement that “Church doesn’t matter” but you detest church of satan. Why won’t you just subscribe to their biddings, since they’re ‘church’ as well.

The truth is that where you nourish your spiritual life matters a lot. Many a fake church abound in and around town. It takes people with spirit of discernment to know where the spirit of Christ is holding sway, and fellowship there.

The bible we use as a yardstick for salvation discourses was authored, compiled and approved by a particular church. The fact that we all accept and use that same publication as standard for our faith means a lot. Therefore, it is important to choose one’s assembly of faithfuls wisely and strictly.

There was a bible with the seven books of Moses, we reject it because it lacked canonical approval of the mother church, yet you argue that “church doesn’t matter?” If it doesn’t matter, why won’t you use the Gospel of Judas Iscariot? Or have you not heard that there are other books of the bible which was censored out and not authorized for use by the Mother Church?

Why not buy/download and use them.

The great Vatican II council declared that all are called to the holiness of life, each in their respective vocation and profession. This ultimatum was not gender-based. It didn’t specify men or women, but every human being.

The petty catechism of the Catholic church gave us the reason why we were made: “God made me to know him, love him, worship him in this life, in order to live with him forever in heaven”. Again, it is not gendersensitive.

This implies that if a girl finds a suitor whose religious inclination doesn’t support this divine destiny of hers, as outlined in the catechism, prudential instinct demands that she should reject him, if she is faithful to her baptismal calling.

So, it is tyrannical for a man to think that his religion or denomination suffices for his prospective wife’s, unless she is originally a member of his religion/ denomination, or he is able to convince and convert her into knowing, deciding and accepting that his church will serve her soul better.

On another note, I would like to say that any girl who have no taste of her own choice of religion, is not worth the companionship of any reasonable man, as wife.

In the 1988 movie - Coming To America, Eddie Murphy (Prince Akeem) left his kingdom in Africa to faraway America, to find his bride; a woman with “grace, elegance, taste and culture.”

He vehemently rejected the one in his native land that was prepared to “obey his every command.”

In the film, he was betrothed to a woman who from birth was trained never to refuse anything he says; “she was raised to think and speak and act like a queen” his Father, the king told him.

This was, to Eddie Murphy, like marrying a dog, because only dogs are to obey without owning opinions.

And so, he left the land of his birth in search of “a woman, who will arouse his intellect as well as his loins.”

A woman who has principles and not just a fluidlyminded bride.

That old movie was lesson-parked for singles who wants to marry.

I wonder how some men can enjoy (throughout life), the companionship of a woman who have no opinion of her own, with no firm standing with her God and where she felt He is worshipped befittingly. Women of “anything can go!”

Some will rise, with the admonition that girls who reject suitors on the basis of their religious inclination, will end up perpetual spinsters. My take is: maybe that was why the bible said that “not all will be married.”

(Matt. 19:11-21, 1cor. 7).

If she became permanent spinster, because she rejected suitors for the sake of her affinity for the kingdom of her Maker, then she is a heroine of true faith, because surviving the stigma that accompanies it, is enough sacrifice to win her the halo of martyrdom.

Life does not have an almighty formular. It is ridiculous, how some people tend to pontificate over another person’s choices in life as if they’re infallible in matters of faith and morality.

For faithful Catholic singles, the Canon Law (Can 1055 -1165) made the following provisions for marrying person of a different sect or faith (mixed or ecumenical marriage): “Without the express permission of the competent authority, marriage is prohibited between two baptized persons, one of whom was baptized in the catholic Church or received into it after baptism and has not defected from it by a formal act, the other of whom belongs to a Church or ecclesial community not in full communion with the catholic Church.

Can. 1125: The local Ordinary can grant this permission if there is a just and reasonable cause. He is not to grant it unless the following conditions are fulfilled: 1° the catholic party is to declare that he or she is prepared to remove dangers of defecting from the faith, and is to make a sincere promise to do all in his or her power in order that all the children be baptised and brought up in the catholic Church; 2° the other party is to be informed in good time of these promises to be made by the catholic party, so that it is certain that he or she is truly aware of the promise and of the obligation of the catholic party.

3° both parties are to be instructed about the purposes and essential properties of marriage, which are not to be excluded by either contractant.” (CCC, Book IV, Part I, Title VII, Chapter VI; Revised code of canon law 1055-1165).

So when you see a Catholic lady refusing a suitor on ground of his church/religion, know she’s obeying the law of faith she believed in, and which the suitor refused to believe in. So incompatibility stems from there.

Though, some, in self-deception may choose to ignore those early warning signs, but they would still resurface midway in the union.

The earlier we align with these realities the better.

May daylight spare us! ✍ Jude Eze 08099062006 (WhatsApp/sms only)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 12

Opinion

Nigerian youth and urgency of a new paradigm

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi

E

ven when there is no codified word or structured documentation adequate enough to evaluate a public office holder, there exist presently, a compelling need to evaluate the present administration in the country, via a broader view of the people’s paramount concerns and legitimate expectations in order to unravel its values of fiscal discipline, prudent management, robust and continuous community engagement, effective and efficient public communication, and excellent public service delivery for the benefit of this generation and the next.

This logical, rational and practical belief is predicated on the current unpalatable happenings and failures recorded in recent times and traceable to the current administration.

Out of many of such instances, one that cries for attention is; how well has the present administration at both state and Federal levels treated its critical mass-the youths?

Aside from enjoying demographic advantage and being in possession of commanding majority, providing answer to this question/evaluation is important because Nigerian youths will provide the future leadership needs of the country.

Take as an illustration, in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari promised during his electioneering to work with the youths. But contrary to that promise, eight years after such a promise was made, the Nigerian youth are still relegated to the political background. Again, even when they are celebrated daily at the world stage for their superlative showings and performance, right here in Nigeria, they are judged to be ‘lazy’ by the same administration that promised to work with them .

The first of such shock came to the youths shortly after the 2019 general election and Mr. President submitted to the National Assembly for screening the list of 43 ministerial nominees.

Separate from the disproportionately skewed list screaming with evidence that youth’s political highway remains slippery, rough and riddled with potholes and hopelessness, the list eloquently laid bare an ingrained falsehood of the administration.

In the same style, not only did the ministerial list make nonsense of the seemingly gains of the not-tooyoung-to run campaign embarked on by the youths on July 2017, which brought about the amendment of some sections of the nations’ constitution to accommodate youths desirous of seeking political or elective positions, what is now left at this stage, of course, is the question of the extent to which youths should draw political lessons from the episode or whether to continue exerting power on inglorious political functions they are reputed for without result.

Also in 2018, Mr. president while attending an international function, stated among other things that;‘ a lot of them (Nigerian youths) haven’t been to school and they are claiming, that Nigeria has been an oil-producing country therefore, they should sit and do nothing and get housing, health care, and education’, a remark that Nigerian youths and vast majority of other Nigerians received with disbelief, grief, and rage.

Certainly, in my view, if there is a sterling lesson the youths must draw from the asymmetrical structure of appointments by the present government at the centre, it is the new awareness that thuggery and other illicit political functions at the polls cannot guarantee a political position for the youths. Rather,

what guarantees political appointment and position is the possession of a keen sense of independence, self-respect and oneness and insistence on choosing the right people as leaders during the election.

To explain, throughout the period of the 2019 general election, the Nigerian youths hobnobbed and romanced these politicians without knowing that our political leaders are experts in adopting the tactics of the coquette.

‘A tactic that makes the public fall in love with excitement while these leaders remain inwardly detached; while keeping them in control. What the youths must learn from this exclusion is that to gain relevance politically, they must develop the will to work out their political salvation by recognizing ‘that there is little hope until they become toughminded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truth, and downright ignorance.

Regardless of whether the appointments in the past seven years were made by Mr. President to achieve a particular purpose—such as tackling the nation’s troubled economy, insecurity, unemployment or improvement of power generation, the truth is that looking at the lopsided architecture of those that Mr President appointed in 2019- predominantly made up of familiar names that did not spectacularly performed during Mr. President’s first term, coupled with their present below average performance, the youth should know that as the nation races to 2023 general election, the hour has come for a shift in paradigm.

The above is not to suggest that this non-appointment of the youths to political positions in the country is limited to the present administration or just happening for the first time; as no administration in Nigeria can boast of

clean hands. The challenge may exist in overt and glaring forms among the Buhari’s administration but may have existed in the hidden and subtle manner in others.

In my view, these are happening because Nigerian youths apart from playing visionless politics, they are in the words of Professor Wole Soyinka full of spunk abroad, but gas at home.

Coupled with the reality that our nation is unfortunately blessed with a huge number of ‘coercive’ and selfish leaders as against truly ‘democratic, pacesetting and coaching’ leaders.

As an illustration, like a prophet that was supernaturally informed of it and supernaturally moved to announce it, I recall writing a piece dated August 2017 and titled; Nigerian youths; celebrated abroad and despised at home, were pointed out that the Nigerian government right from independence has evidently proved not to be interested in, or paid adequate attention to supporting youths involvement in politics or holding of public offices, but are merely concerned with clarifying the problem of youths apathy in politics without solution. I also in that piece submitted that the only twist to that narrative is that youths have visible but ignorantly endorsed these underground plots through their actions and inactions.

Conversely, political pundits have argued that the youths should not be blamed for their inability to occupy political or leadership positions in the country, be it elective or appointment, but blamed on the nation’s inglorious departure from politics of ideas to money politics or what is currently referred to as the politics of the highest bidder which the youths have no financial muscles to partake in and therefore settled for the easiest option at their disposal which is praise singing.

Despite the virtues and attributes of the above positions, I still hold an opinion that the bulk of the blame rests at the doorstep of the youths as the list of political actions not taken was lengthy and worrisome.

As an incentive, if the youths had during the build-up to 2019 general elections, identified the areas which really hold the key to political success, and apply the right mix of resources, make collaborative efforts and discipline, they should have been able to put themselves in a position of real competitive superiority using their demographic advantage.

To, therefore, catalyze the process of reversing this appalling trend, and form a force that must not be ignored, Nigerian youths must first understand the threat fear poses for a reason. They need to remember that under ‘right circumstances; fear can trigger the temptation to surrender to a demagogue promising strength and security in return.’ The 2018 general elections and current political situation in the country stand as vivid examples.

Finally, Nigerians youths must not continue to agonize over such developments but wake up and do something civil and positive. On their part, our leaders should not live under the illusion of misguided cleverness but should ‘study history, study the actions of the eminent men, to see how they conducted themselves and to discover the reasons for their victories or their defeats so that they can avoid the latter and imitate the former.’

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;jeromeutomi@yahoo. com/08032725374.

Our environment: Living today for tomorrow

By Oliver Ejike Uja

G

rowing up in a village in South – East Nigeria in the seventies was a great fun. I still relish that period of wandering in the woods, gathering wild fruits and playing games in the sand. I still remember one occasion when a four wheel drive pulled up and two white couples I now believe were tourists came down with cameras and started clicking away joyfully. In our childish innocence, we were also happy and started posing for pictures which we neither knew to which use it will be put, nor had any hope of ever seeing. The forest then was full of scents, sites and sound and everyone knew everyone. The atmosphere was just serene. Farming was purely organic although chemical fertilizers and insecticides were already available in limited areas and could only be obtained through the agricultural extension offices. Virtually all materials used then were bio-degradable from baskets to leather bag and food wrappings. The extension officers were making concerted efforts to make the people accept artificial chemical fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides but the apathy and rejection was stiff.

Changing an old method of doing things is always difficult and people were not too sure of the effects of those items.

However, people embraced the use of these items decades latter and the price spiraled out of reach. And we know

that today some of these items are still controversial depending on the divide one belongs – organic versus inorganic.

This will be a topic for another day.

Whenever I go home today I feel nostalgic of the good old time not because I do not see beautiful structures all around but there is a sense lost and dislocation from the good environment I knew and so cherished. Change and development must come but how it comes and is deployed is what matters.

Development predisposes improvement in human lives and living. However, when a perceived development or invention contributes in the lowering of the standard environment and humanity, such becomes questionable since it is tantamount to retrogression.

In many parts of the world there are disillusionment, crisis and tension due to the uprooting and displacement of locals from the natural environment which they had known all their lives.

This sort of displacement may have solved some immediate needs, which often are economic, but the scar on the lives of the local and indigenous people stays forever. Beside, this results in the tipping of the balance in the ecosystem.

What is left of the sandy open field where we used to play is now a potpourri of glass, plastics, cellophane and other non-biodegradable materials which had gathered due to the large volume of run-off water from construction of new settlements. It has become a dump site.

Experts in biodiversity and conservation agree on the need to better handle and manage the use of natural resources and our environment. It is glaring that despite the monumental pollution in the Niger Delta, several other places in Nigeria have not been immune from one form of environmental degradation or the other.

From the dirty smelly polluted canals in Lagos, erosion ravaged landscape of the South – East, Desertification in the North to the unbridled destruction of floral and fauna in unrestrained, needless, utopian and sometimes half hazard urban development.

As a people, we keep destroying relics of our past in quest for what is now. Society does not actually grow in the real sense such that everything of the past is totally erased or destroyed. As I was ruminating over what have become of the serene environment in which I grew up, I now came to understand why those white couples (tourists) were so joyous and elected taking some pictures. Some of those pictures may have ended up in newspapers and magazines in the Western press known for its stereotypic depiction of Africa – A backward continent where nothing works. It is interesting to note that Europe and America had their own time before the industrial revolution when the ecosystem and biodiversity was pristine. Every development comes with its problems and the industrial revolution come with the price of

environmental pollution and distortion in the social fabrics. There was massive migration and drift to the sprawling constructions of town and cities and people became less attached to their natural environment which by then was under attack by the heavy equipment and industrial settlements. The people’s socio – cultural system where dislocated coupled with other congenial and allied health implications. Many industrialized countries have realised the need to preserve nature hence they invest heavily in nature conservation. Many heavily built up cities are creating miniature nature gardens and parks and high raise building are converting the roof tops into gardens.

This interest and quest for conservation and biodiversity in the 20th century was a backlash of poor environmental practices during and years after industrialization. There is no doubt that human activities are taking its toll on our planet and to wish it away is to live in delusion. The fact that Lake Chad has shrunk to 10% the original size and that several communities in Nigeria have been devastated by gully erosion in South Eastern Nigeria now stares us in the face, just like the Niger Delta have continued to groan under the pain of heavy pollution due to oil exploration and exploitation. In fact, the world is suffocating in plastics and other non – biodegradable hazardous waste. No policy in this regard is complete without

adequately factoring biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Many towns and villages are drowning in refuse due mainly to the quantity and speed of turnover of non – biodegradable materials. It is no longer fashionable and convenience to wrap things in leafs and other materials that naturally get back into the cycle because easy options are often preferable. Unfortunately, the system of waste management is still a long way where it exists. However, even the most technologically advanced nations still find it difficult in managing their wastes despite the amount of money devoted to this regards. The focus now has shifted to the use of organic and bio-degradable materials. This is why those that still have the luxury of still enjoying the natural environment should be grateful to God. Our attitude to our environment is sad. We believe in here and now and whatever happens afterwards does not matter. A number of countries economy thrive on tourism ours is a society that has no culture of preservation, restoration and conservation. Many architectural masterpieces that have earned the United Nation Educational Scientific Children Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site status would not have made it if the attitude was constant destruction and ‘modernisation’ of structures.

Uja is a Research Officer and lives in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 13

Suicides and the society!

By Isa Eneye Mubarak

T

he problem about suicide is that one makes a permanent, irreversible, irrevocable treatment of a temporary problem, but still it is becoming a trend in Nigeria.

When one is suicidal, they just want to be out of their current situation or their miserable lives, and they see death as the escape route!

The annoying situation after someone has taken their own life is the speculations people make about why he did it and why she did it. Suicide isn’t that straightforward, it is complex.

You do not know the conscience of a dead person so you cannot assume they did it because of this or that.

About the civil servant who committed suicide in Kogi, it was reported he was owed 11months salary and people are now speculating that because of that, he committed suicides barely 10days after his wife of 17years gave birth to a set of male triplets (which should be something of great joy, considering the circumstances).

Reports also have it that he sold his properties amounting to millions due to hardships….

Anyway let me spare you the details. But my point is, the whole thing is not adding up. I refuse to believe he committed suicide because of unpaid salary arrears.

The man left suicide note, and he was very vague, didn’t imply it was because of hardship or whatever specifically.

I also understand people are looking for anything to criticize the Kogi state government, and will easily join the bandwagon of “he committed suicide over unpaid salaries” without necessarily examining the facts.

When you take your life immediately after a crisis, everyone attributes your suicide to that one incident notwithstanding the fact that you could have been plotting your own death months prior to the crisis that pushed you over the edge. But nah, society has a very narrow understanding of depression.

This few days I’ve been hearing a lot of things about suicide and most of the people that speak about it don’t seem concerned at all, some of them even go as far as saying ; “those that attempt suicide are just cowards, attention seeking and selfish.”

The Black society can’t and

will probably never understand mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. So no, talking to someone in the black family will not help. Trust me.

Have you seen how black families treat kids who’ve survived a suicide attempt?

Let me tell you what happens after you attempt suicide and fail. First, you wake up in a hospital confused, disoriented and nauseas with a pipe in your penis. After clearing your mind and realising you’re still alive and in a hospital instead of heaven or hell, you note your immediate family all staring at you and happy to see you awake.

Then the casual talk starts and you assure everyone you’re okay and they leave. After that, your vitals are checked and you’re monitored for a few days and off you go – home. The one place where everyone can be honest. You get home and everyone assumes “he/she’s okay now,” bare in mind only your physical wellbeing was monitored in hospital, you’re still a mental-wreck. But nah, because mental-illness ain’t a thing in black society, once you’re out of hospital your suicide attempt is swept under the rug for some time – only till some people come

Comment over for intervention, normally elders or pastors. This is usually the period where your family gets sick and tired of your attention seeking stunts and you’re told the truth, the bitter truth.

All this when you’re still an emotional wreck, your family literally pushes you back into the pit that you’re not really sure you want to live. So what do you do? You suffer in silence because you understand that any talk of suicide will unleash words such as “next time, I’ll personally deal with you.”

So what do you do? You withdraw into yourself, you suffer alone. You’re back to square one. You’re back to plotting your own death but this time you fear something, no not death, failing. You fear failing to kill yourself once again over your prospective death. You find that your own escape (death) has now been turned into an instrument to torment you.

So tell me, how “speak to someone”, have actually spoken to someone? In reality it’s not that easy, just speaking to someone will not entirely help, it’s like drinking Aspirin for HIV/AIDS. Depression is a serious mental illness that needs medical attention, the only way you

can help a depressed friend is by telling someone. You, good friend, are not emotionally and mentally equipped to deal with a suicidal subject. So, when a friend of yours is suicidal, call the helpline for them and yourself instead of just passing the number along and thinking you’ve played your part.

So unless you’ve been in a suicide victims shoe or been suicidal, stop speculating…

Mental illnesses are complex because the human brain and psyche are complex too. You might say you’d never kill yourself today and kill yourself the next day. No one gets born knowing they’ll kill themselves one-day, it all happens so fast.

Remember, when it comes to suicide, you never really know who is ‘playing’ or who will actually do it. So take every suicide joke serious, those are the signs. No one wakes up and decides enough is enough, I’m taking my life today. Victims plan their death for days, months or even years all the while leaving clues in the form of cries of help but we miss them or ignore them and when they’ve taken their own life’s we claim they are selfish.

Isa Eneye Mubarak is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Technology incubation centre and youth engagement

By Musa Aliu

R

esearch has shown that a nation cannot develop without innovation and when innovation is technology driven, that nation will most likely achieves its short and long time goals. This shows that technology and innovation play catalytic roles in drive towards national development. Even sustainable development may not be achieved without technology; simple or complex. Perhaps, it was against this context that federal government established Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in 1993. The TIC was aimed to nurture new start-up in science and technology related business, speed up the communication of research and development (R&D) results by effectively linking talents, technology know-how, and capital together in order to accelerate the development of new enterprises thereby supporting them through the early stage of development. Everyone thus benefit; employment is guaranteed, standards of living improved and entrepreneurs scattered all over.

Today there are about twenty seven TICs across Nigeria.

These centers designed as an integrated support programme to serve both public and private sectors either individually or in partnership with the intention

of creating or nurturing budding value-added and technology based enterprises. These enterprises include welding, electronic, agroallied, paint industry, fashion designing, trading etc. Despite the intended benefits these centers are expected to bring to reposition Nigeria as a technology hub, many stakeholders are of the view that the TICs are underperforming. Some of the problems were attributable to poor policy direction, poor infrastructure, mismanagement, poor engagement of few technology savvy youth, and lack of effective linkages between the TICs, and other target stakeholders in their respective locations leading to poor patronage. There is also lack of identifiable primary research work; this is evidence in the Ilorin Technology Incubation Centre for example.

Our visit to the TIC Ilorin shows that the centre has not performed up to its expectations. As a special federal training agency intended to develop local technology, there is no evidence to suggest the centre is engaging the young people. The pertinent questions remain: how many youth has benefited from the existence of the centre since its establishment? Do community members really know the existence of the centre? What idea has been put in place in moving the TIC Ilorin towards the direction of the government objectives?

Obviously, one of the things killing the centre is poor management.

Most public servants have a tendency to think that anything belonging to government did not require extra effort to make it better. This is a bad mindset that has affected almost every government ministry, department and agency. This is laziness, lack of commitment.

If a leader has no plan, the organization under his control will never develop even if the resource is available in surplus.

All these encourage diversion of scarce resource, mismanagement of public fund and lack of respect for appropriate authority. Between 2013 and 2015, a total of N148.9 million was approved by federal government as statutory allocation for the centre. More specifically, from the 2016 Appropriation Act, about N96.8 million was budgeted for the centre; with N52.6 million for recurrent expenditure and N44 million for capital expenditure.

Although, the actual release so far has not been ascertained, but what has been done to show for the amount of money in the previous three years? Being a government owned enterprises; the managers of the agency did not see it as part of their responsibility the need to provide evidence based result since its establishment. Perhaps, it is better to ensure that such strategic centre be managed by

the private firm. This will give concrete result.

The Ilorin technology incubation centre needs to give more priority to youth engagement.

There are many technology savvy youth in the state looking for this kind of opportunity but they don’t know that this is within their reach. A lot of youths need the assistance of the centre; in term of youth encouragement to start something and not waiting for the white collar job. The few trainees the centre has managed to engage are complaining that it not been effective in coming to their recues in terms of in securing certificate of registration to starts up their business. No further support is often made to make them self reliance.

As technology incubation centers are designed to train youth entrepreneurs, TICs are important to promote the present government change agenda especially in economic diversification. Yet it appears the Ilorin centre has not started looking in that direction. The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) should be sensitive to this if its 27 TICs across Nigeria will fulfill their purpose. The NBTI most play its oversight and supervisory roles.

Moving forward, the management of the TICs should collaborate with private firms,

trade union, artisans, states and local governments in their locations to fashion out innovative strategy of engagement for impactful outcomes. They are supposed to be known by the community associations in the state, trade unions, artisan associations, as well as other associations as part of their priority entrepreneurship development objective. Until these groups know about the existence of the TICs, the existence will be fruitless and nothing good could be achieved. This is because their cooperation is fundamental. They need to collaborate and see how they can both work together if TICs are to fulfill their laudable objective and contribute effectively in reducing youth unemployment, crime rate, and help reflate the economy out of present recession.

The fact is that, development does not come in despair or vacuum, it is not a mere dream, speculation or expectation it is putting down ideas and ensure action oriented plans. There is need to recreate the image of the centre. It should not be a secret place where no one could access.

This is a public training centre and everyone must know about its existence without discrimination.

Musa Aliu is of the Business and Leadership Training Centre, Ilorin. Kwara state

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 14

NEWS

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

M

embers of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) on the lingering presidential primary crisis rocking the party.

The Bot of the PDP is also planning to set up a special committee for reconciliation of aggrieved members, particularly the Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, in a statement yesterday, said the committee would meet with all the presidential aspirants in the last special national convention of the party.

Senator Jibrin noted with concern, the crisis that trailed the unveiling of Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa as presidential running mate.

He described the agitation as unnecessary, adding that “there is no any problem as being envisaged by some people in our great party the PDP. “I want to assure everyone that all plans are on ground to bring all members together as one and united”, he said.

According to him, what is happening in PDP could not be compared with the situation in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) especially the issues of Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The BoT Chairman noted that

PDP lingering crisis: BoT members meets tomorrow on way out some groups are already trying to resolve the presidential running

mate.

“Interestingly

the

BoT

the

highest advisory body and the conscious of the party is meeting on

Wednesday 3rd August to discuss the issues accordingly,” he added.

Senate Committee lauds NAF 2023: Youth kick off sensitisation against vote buying deployment A of Super Tucano

L-R on red carpet: The representative of the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki ,who is the SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Development Strategies; the Executive Vice Chairman /Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed S. Haruna; and the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, HE Engr Abdullahi Sule at the groundbreaking of the Permanent site of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute(AMEDI) in Lafia yesterday.

T

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigerian Airforce, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has commended the Nigerian Airforce for effective deployment of the Super Tucanos and the success recorded so far against the current security challenges of Nigeria.

Na’Allah gave the commendation in a telephone interview on Sunday to assess operations of security agencies effectiveness of the new Super Tucano fighter jets.

He urged the Nigerian Airforce to sustain the good work to gain more ground in their efforts to rid the country of the lingering security challenges.

The chairman described the decision to acquire those platforms as one of the wisest taken by the Federal Government in terms of savings and operational flexibility.

He advised the Federal Government to consider increasing the number in order to significantly cut down the cost of running of the Airforce. (NAN)

political group, Youths In Politics (YIP), Nigeria, on Sunday in Lagos kicked off voter education and sensitisation campaign against vote buying and vote selling ahead of 2023 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign, titled, “Don’t Sell Your Vote, Tomorrow Is Now”, started in Ikeja area of the state and had in attendance some celebrities who preached against vote selling in 2023.

Addressing newsmen, the President/Convener of the group, Mr. Micheal Nwabufo, said the sensitisation had become imperative following challenges the nation was facing.

Nwabufo said: “We are against vote buying. We are here to educate the general public not to sell their votes in 2023. They should vote the right person.

“We are not campaigning for anybody; all we are after now is to discontinue the trend of vote buying and selling in our elections.

“Enough is enough of suffering; people should not sell their votes but vote in right leadership based on their conviction and not because of the money collected from any politicians.”

He said that the group would carry the same campaign against vote buying and vote selling to over 500 local government areas in Nigeria.

According to him, the youth group has over 9.6 million members

across the nation including celebrities to sensitise the public on the need to install right leadership.

Nwabufo noted that it was better for people to go hungry for a while than to sell their votes and enthrone bad leadership that would bring years of hardship to them.

He added: “A lot of things are happening in the country that we cannot bear any longer, we just have to vote right leadership now.

“Time is going, we should not delay in putting right people in leadership.

“Nigeria should be competing with America with all the enormous human and natural resources at its disposal.”

On the July 31 INEC deadline for the Continuous Voter

Registration (CVR), Nwabufo urged the commission to extend the registration to capture more people who were seeking opportunity to register.

According to him, the group has about 60 celebrities who are ready to sensitise people more to come out and register to exercise their franchise.

Also speaking, Mr Seyi Awolowo, one of the group’s leaders, begged Nigerians not to sell their votes for any amount, so as to create a better country for themselves and their children.

Kneeling down openly to beg the crowd, Awolowo said that people should not because of hunger sell their votes, adding that Nigeria must get its leadership right in 2023.

Over 900 TB cases detected in Plateau quarterly — NGO

T

he Breakthrough Action Nigeria, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), says over 900 cases of tuberculosis are detected in Plateau quarterly.

State Coordinator of the organisation, Dr. Catherine Igho, said this on Monday in Jos. The event was the commencement of the national

tuberculosis testing week, where she said the results were gotten from the hospitals and outreaches conducted in the state.

She said that the aim of week-long testing was to create awareness about TB and to also intensify case finding.

She said the aim was also to also put those vulnerable to developing active TB on preventive

treatment and prevent community spreading as every undiagnosed and untreated case could infect 15 people within a year.

She pointed out that during the testing week, those detected would be promptly placed on treatment as there would be prompt notification of persons who test positive.

Igho said the act would help address the issue of low TB case

finding due to low awareness of the disease.

Similarly, Plateau Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Ndam, said the essence of the week was to create massive awareness of TB via community outreaches He said exercise would hold in the 17 local government areas of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 15

2023: APC, PDP are jittery over looming defeat – NNPP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP are jittery over the looming defeat in the coming 2023 General election.

The Jigawa State NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa service.

He said he is confident that the electorates would not repeat the previous mistakes and vote for the APC and PDP for their failure to secure the Nation for the past 22 years in power.

“The growing and acceptability of the party and popularity of the candidates in Jigawa State and the country are making the APC and PDP jittering that Nigerians would vote out APC coming general election” He explained that the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP come into existence to salvage Nigeria from APC and PDP atrocities.

2023: APC Chieftain in Yobe dumps party for PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

L

awan Mammodu Kori, a former house of representatives member who represented the Nangere/ Potiskum federal constituency from 2007 to 2011 has announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

Kori who disclosed this to newsmen in his country home, Potiskum, Yobe State also expressed optimism that Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential flag bearer will win the forthcoming election come 2023.

“I have decided to dump the ruling APC and join the PDP because in the past I belonged to the PDP family who gave me their mandate to represent them at the National Assembly from 2007 to 2011, I remain grateful for that. I left them for APC, but after some time I felt I should return to my beloved party, the PDP. “PDP made me what I am today, I will never forget the good gesture of the party. We will actively work in ensuring its victory at all levels come 2023 general elections”, he said.

The former lawmaker also predicted that PDP presidential flag bearer Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has the capacity to become Nigeria’s President in 2023 considering the popularity and support he is enjoying across all the six geopolitical zones of the

“Our main concern is on how to secure the nation, provide Job opportunities to our teaming youth and boost the economy of our states and the country” “For example, in Jigawa State we have a comprehensive policy for industrialization, real

investors would be invited to invest with high turnover for both the investors and the entire Jigawa people. ”This would no doubt enhance revenue generation for the Government, increase employment to the youth and

create enabling environment for unfettered business and commerce which will subsequently help in the security of the state”.

He noted that the party is committed and fully prepared to take power in the coming 2023

general election in the state and the country.

Ringim, however, urged the party’s supporters to remain committed to ensuring the unity of the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Vice Presidential Candidate, Labour Party, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed (middle sitting front row) flanked by the Party Spokesman Obi-Datti Campaign Organization, Dr.Yunusa Tanko (right) the Snr. Adviser to Peter Obi, Mr. Oseloka Obaze (left), in a group photograph with their supporters, during the VP Candidate Press Conference alerting the public of the fake Social media account associated to him, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

PDP Crisis: Wike is my friend, we are settling our matter – Okowa

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, has claimed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is his friend.

Okowa said this while commenting on the ongoing crisis in the PDP. The Delta State governor said he is making an effort to reach out to Wike, adding that everything is being settled bit by bit.

Recall that Wike is disgruntled over PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s choice of Okowa as his running mate.

Atiku had rejected the recommendations of a committee he set up to select his running mate after his victory at the PDP presidential primaries.

The 16-man committee had recommended Wike, who came second during the party’s primary election but Atiku opted for Okowa, insisting that he picked who could deliver.

Speaking on the development, Okowa, however, said in an interview with BBC pidgin, “We have been talking internally.

Everything is being settled.

You know that when something happens and everybody can’t agree, it’s settled bit by bit.

“That is what we are still working on from the inside. We are finding a way to talk. I will say, he is my friend, I am his friend, and we will find a way to talk.

“Atiku has said his own version of what happened, and

I am sure that version he said is the true position. I am also not saying that Wike is lying, but if someone carries their anger, it is important to air your views. For us in the party, it’s about how to bring everybody together, how all of us can work together. Wike is still a very important member of the party, he has worked so hard for the party as many of us have worked hard too, so we pray that everything comes together and we talk. I’m sure very soon we will be sitting down.”

Orubebe declares membership for APC

By Musa Baba Adamu

F

ormer Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe has officially signed the APC membership register in his Tuomo Ward Three in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Recall that Orubebe, a key minister during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over skirmishes that trailed the recent

presidential primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as flagbearer.

Orubebe was also famed for openly opposing the collation of presidential results after the 2015 general elections.

Speaking during the occasion which was attended by a mammoth crowd of party faithful, the former Minister thanked the local government executive members of the party and all those who left their various homes, and businesses to receive him into the

party.

He promised to work with all members of the party without discrimination.

Orubebe who is the DirectorGeneral of the campaign organization of the APC flag bearer in the 2023 governorship election, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege told the party that a rally where many politicians from other parties will join the party will be organised soon.

He assured party members that with his leadership in the party,

the party would win elections for the first time in the local government area. He also said that he is confident that Omo-Agege will win the governorship election and development will surely come to the Ijaw area.

Speaking earlier, the APC chairman in the LGA Mr. Nana said that entry of Orubebe was a good omen for the party saying that party has been more or less an orphan or sheep without a Shepherd.

He asked for cooperation from

Presidency: Why Kwankwaso is supporting Tinubu – Deji Adeyanju

By Christiana Ekpa

A

n Abuja-based activist, Deji Adeyanju, has alleged that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso is supporting his counterpart from the All Progressives Congress

(APC), Bola Tinubu.

Adeyanju said Kwankwaso believes that Tinubu would make him the next president if he wins in 2023.

He pointed out that it will take another Southern and Northern presidential candidate 16 years to rule Nigeria if Tinubu wins in

2023.

In a series of tweets, Adeyanju: “If Tinubu becomes president, it will take another presidential aspirant from the South 16yrs to be president and same for a Northern candidate.

“This is one of the reasons Kwankwaso is now supporting

Tinubu. He thinks Asiwaju will help him get power in 8yrs time.

“A very important lesson I learnt from this is that be less desperate about power. This is the same reason why Kwankwaso and Obi couldn’t work together when it’s obvious only one person can be president.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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POLITICS

L-R: World Bank Lead, Water Specialist, sustainable Development, Mr Francesco Mantovani, Director, Erosion Flood and Coastal Areas Management, Federal Ministry of Environment, Engr.DiliChukwu Joe Etigwe, Representative of the Minister of Environment, Dr.Abass Suleiman and the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment , Mr. Sunday Akinwale, during the Nigeria West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme, National Stakeholders Technical meeting, held in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

CVR: FCT residents beg INEC to extend exercise S ome residents in Kuje Area Council of FCT have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) to enable eligible voters get registered before the 2023 general elections.

The residents made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kuje.

They said that those willing to register had been coming out in large numbers in vain.

NAN reports that the exercise, which ended on Saturday had been generally peaceful, orderly and hitchfree at the Kuje INEC office and some registration centres, experienced crowd of registrants on the day of the deadline.

The registrants included people who want to register for new Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), people whose cards had been defaced and those that wanted to effect transfer to

another polling unit.

Mr Abraham Gado, a registrant, said the success of the 2023 general election depended a lot on public perception of INEC as neutral and fair to all.

Gado insisted that large number of people in the six area councils were yet to register and collect their PVCs. However, he acknowledged that the deadline for registration had been previously extended but appealed that INEC should consider extension so as not to disenfranchise anyone.

“If this deadline is not extended, millions of Nigerians will be disenfranchised and this may enhance the narrative of not choosing good leaders, which is not good for democracy in Nigeria.

“The extension is very important as it will build public trust towards peaceful electoral outcomes in the 2023 general election,” he said.

Mr Luka Ayuba, another registrant, reminded the electoral umpire of the

provisions in the amended Electoral Act, which allowed for the extension of the voter registration.

Ayuba described the exercise as tedious and cumbersome, marred by delay in capturing, slow process and other technical hitches.

He, therefore, appealed for extension and deployment of more machines to different electoral wards in the area to fast track their registration and enable large number of people to be captured.

“This would result in the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians willing and eager to perform their civic responsibilities in the 2023 polls.

“Given the foregoing, we call on INEC to extend the Continuous Voters Registration till at least the end of August 2022.

“If the registration is extended it will help compensate for the identified technical difficulties faced and assure

Nigerians that INEC is seen to be fair to all,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Allawa, the Kuje INEC Electoral Officer (EO), said the office had only four functional machines for the entire area council, thereby making the exercise cumbersome.

Allawa said another major challenge the commission was facing was issue of poor network, which had been slowing down the process during capturing.

He added that adequate priority was being given to Persons with Disability (PWDs), the elderly and pregnant women in the area.

“We have been asking people to come out and register for a long time, this mentality of coming out at the last minute have to be discouraged.

“For long people refused to come out to register and now that the closure for the exercise is drawing nearer, people are trooping out in large numbers,” he said.

(NAN)

PDP BoT meets Wednesday, moves to reconcile Wike, other aggrieved members

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday as part of plans to reconcile the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and other aggrieved party members.

The Chairman of BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin said Thursday that the BoT would also meet with presidential aspirants.

He expressed concern that the primary election that produced the presidential candidate of

the party, Atiku Abubakar and the subsequent appointment of the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice presidential candidate was causing unnecessary confusion among some PDP members.

Jibrin stressed that there was no problem as envisaged by some people in the main opposition party.

He stated: “I want to assure everyone that all plans are on ground to bring all members together as one and united. What is happening in PDP can never

be compared with the situation in APC, especially their plans in trying to bring religious issues of Muslim-Muslim president and vice president.”

Jibrin noted that some groups are trying to reconcile aggrieved members, saying the latest intervention was coming from some former and serving governors of the party.

He added: “The aim of the group is to reconcile aggrieved people, especially Wike. Interestingly, the BoT the highest advisory body and

the conscience of the party are meeting on Wednesday, 3rd August, to discuss the issues accordingly by coming up with strong recommendations with the special committee for the special reconciliation of aggrieved members, especially governor wike.

“After the BoT meeting we will meet with and wike and all aggrieved members and all past presidential Aspirants. It is my prayer as Chairman of BoT that the PDP will remain strongest and win all elections in 2023.”

Plateau Attack: Defend yourselves from bandits – Lawmaker, Bagos to his constituents

By Christiana Ekpa

M

ember Representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos has expressed sadness over the killing of seven of his constituents by suspected Fulani bandits.

Suspected Fulani bandits attacked Danda Chugwi village of Jos South Local Government of Plateau State on Sunday night, killing seven people and injuring two others.

The killing is coming barely 24 hours after 18 people lost their lives during a clash between bandits and members of a vigilante group in the Wase Local Government Area of the state.

Bagos, who is the Deputy Chairman House Committee on AntiCorruption, attended the mass burial of the seven victims at Danda Village on Monday, describing the act as “inhumane”.

He maintained that the coldblooded killing of his constituents by bandits is “callous”.

“This incident has raised concerns over the readiness of security agencies to tackle once and for all the gorilla style of killing which has been incessant in my constituency and Plateau State, intelligence reports have it that the attackers had sent signal before now and no action was taken on the part of the security agencies to curtail it, this is sad”.

The Lawmaker while sympathising with the families of those who lost their loved ones, said; “I am angry and enraged by the daily killing within and around my constituency.

“I want to state emphatically, that I will continue to talk about these callous attitudes of known criminals amongst us until they are all gotten rid of finally, everybody has the right to defend himself, I want to urge my constituents to defend themselves enough is enough of this barbaric and dastardly killings”.

Bagos frowned at the way bandits move freely with arms without being apprehended by the security agencies.

“As the representatives of my people in Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, I have signed for the impeachment of Mr President because we need someone that will address the issues of insecurity, my people are being killed on daily bases; this is condemnable and unacceptable” The lawmakers, however, called on his constituents to be more vigilant and defend themselves when criminals come to attack.

Also speaking, National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association Barr. Solomon Dalyop, said the attack happened on Sunday, 31/07/2022 at around 10pm.

He disclosed that several others sustained serious gun injuries and have been taken to Vom Christian hospital for immediate medical attention.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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POLITICS

Obi lacks experience to become president -.PDP’s VP candidate, Okowa

By Musa Baba Adamu

D

elta State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, lacks the needed experience to be the president of the country.

Okowa said Obi’s previous experience as a former governor of Anambra State is not enough for the presidency.

The governor said this in a recent interview with BBC Pidgin.

Governor Okowa said: “I did not say he won’t have any votes, he will have. But what I’m saying is that he’s not a new candidate.

It has not been long since he left PDP. You know he was in APGA before, from APGA he came to PDP. It hasn’t been long since he left (PDP) so he cannot say anything about PDP because that’s where he was before.Some of us are still here.

“At every party, there are good people and bad people. But today’s Nigeria is very troubled and we need the right person. That is why I am appealing to our youths to be wise and vote well, they should not be blinded by the concept of a false change because that is how they raved on Jonathan in 2015.

“His (Obi) previous experience is not enough for this one (presidency), it will be hard. His experience is not deep enough.

Even as a current governor ruling in a time of crisis, I know how hard it is,” he stated.

The governor added that he looks forward to learning from Atiku over the latter’s experience as a former Vice-President, adding that the presidency “is not easy”.

“For them to have handled the economy at that time and made it something better, offering hope, creating jobs, and filtering the society, was not easy because it’s a bigger thing.

“So someone is supposed to learn through that. If you look at Obi’s experience you’ll know it’s small,” Okowa added.

Speaking on the crisis rocking the PDP ahead of the 2023 general election, Okowa, who described his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, as his friend, said efforts were on to speak with him, adding that the governor is a very important member of the main opposition party.

L R: Members, House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on State of the Nation’s Refineries, Hon. Dachung Bagos, Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Ahmed Dikko, members of the Committee, Hon.Zakaria Nyampa, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, and Hon. Olanrewaju Edun; during an oversight function to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, at the weekend in Rivers State.

Obi’s supporters attack Okowa for saying he lacks competence

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

upporters of former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi have attacked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa for claiming that Obi lacks the competence to govern Nigeria.

Okowa is the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Okowa had in an interview on

Sunday claimed that Obi lacked the necessary experience to govern a country like Nigeria while rating his principal, Atiku over the former governor.

But in responses from social media users, supporters of Obi claimed that Okowa was only supporting Atiku because they want to return and continue from where their party, PDP, stopped in 2015.

In a comment, a Facebook user, Blaiz Itodo said, “Thank you for your kind advise, we believe

you, Clap for yourself, but we shall remain OBIdient and YUSful in the coming elections.”

Another commentator, Abiodu Ayedun said, “And all previous leaders with massive experience including your boss brought us to relegation by looting our resources.

“All Past Governors including your current self have legalised daylight stealing of state resources with all forms of pension and bogus exit allowances!”

Some of the respondents questioned the experience of the

past leaders and the present one, in comparison to Obi’s experience.

Bamidele Sunday Adewole said, “Mr Governor, what’s the experience of those who have been there and the present occupier?

What have we gained aside pains, suffering, looting, killings, kiddnapings . Please go and face your party problems.”

Dickson Enoch Peter said, “Obi has suddenly become the nightmare of Nigerian politicians.

Gradually we – Obi’s Movement are changing the narratives.

If there’s war today and I’m abroad, I’ll return to fight - Peter Obi

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has reiterated his undying love for Nigeria and his unalterable belief in its indivisibility.

Speaking to more than 1000 members of his foremost support group, the Peter Obi Support Network, in a virtual interactive session, he expressed confidence that Nigeria can and will come out of the woods of failed political leadership and urged everyone, especially, those in the diaspora not to relent in making their contributions to the development of Nigeria in whatever capacity they can.

Emphasizing on how much he is ready to sacrifice for Nigeria’s survival and progress, he shared a story of how he had to relocate from the United Kingdom to Nigeria after spending over ten years in that country in order to contribute his own quota to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

Responding to a question about his plans for Nigerians living in the diaspora by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of POSN, he commended the efforts of diaspora Nigerians in developing the country, and urged them not to relent, because no matter how comfortable

we get in another country, Nigeria will always be our home.

In his words; “I love Nigeria irrevocably and I believe no matter how far we travel or how successful we become outside Nigeria, we can never have another country to call our own, but Nigeria. This is why I have continued to do whatever I can within my personal and group capabilities to support Nigeria’s march to greatness.”

He informed the gathering of passionate supporters that even though he has everything he needs in order to obtain residence permits and citizenship rights in any part of the world he wishes, he has deliberately avoided taking any residence permit from any other country of the world because he believes that “Nigeria is the only country I have.”

“When I left the UK after residing there for over ten years, I returned everything that belonged to them to them. I have a singular focus on Nigeria and I do not think I need the citizenship or residence rights of any other country, when I haven’t finished exploiting my Nature given rights and privileges as a Nigerian.”

“In fact if I am out of Nigeria today and there is a war in Nigeria, I will find a way to return back to Nigeria, because I will rather die in my country, Nigeria, than live free in

another man’s country.”

The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to take pride in being Nigerians and transmute whatever might be our frustrations with the country into a passion to make Nigeria work again for all of us.

He also decried the attempt by some politicians to drag religion into our politics, arguing that we must focus on what really matters, which is the welfare of the Nigerian people and the security of the nation.

According to him; “Religion is a personal endeavor and shouldn’t be allowed to drive our politics.

Trying to hinge our political chances and permutations on political sentiments is irresponsible, because poverty, insecurity, infrastructural decadence, unemployment and all the ills that have bedevilled our nation does not recognize religious differences, bad governance doesn’t affect a Muslim differently because a Muslim is the President neither do bandits select those they attack based on religion.”

He however asked that politicians must not fail to respect and preserve the guardrails of our nationhood by respecting our peculiarities and taking deliberate steps to manage our diversities as a nation.

On the economy, he expressed sadness at the perennial mismanagement of our huge natural and human resources which has put Nigeria on the precipice of total collapse. He argued that the economy is at the center of our national rescue.

“We need to focus on making the Nigerian economy thrive, because if we get the economy right, we would have got every other thing right. If the economy is working, then, there will be a drastic reduction in the rate of crimes and violence, as there will be enough jobs and enough wealth to go round.”

He enjoined his supporters to continue to promote the message of peace, tolerance, prosperity and national healing as the basis of the national movement, pleading for tolerance of divergent views and understanding that millions of Nigerians are angry with the situation of things, and assured that no one will be left behind in the movement to “Take Nigeria Back”.

“Every Nigerian must be involved in this task of Taking Back Nigeria. This is a cross party movement. It doesn’t matter the Party anyone belong to, we must all take Nigeria as our political Party and commit to saving her from an imminent collapse.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

PAGE 18

From Abubakar Yunusa

I

n a bid to ensure that Cement becomes available in all African countries, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement, Michel Puchercos, has revealed that his company is ramping up production in its Okpella plant, Nigeria, and progressing well to deploy grinding plants in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire will join the lists of the following African countries when the grinding plants finally become operational. Cameroon (1.5Mta clinker grinding), Congo (1.5Mta), Ghana (1.5Mta import), Ethiopia (2.5Mta), Senegal (1.5Mta), Sierra Leone (0.5Mta import), South Africa (2.8Mta), Tanzania (3.0Mta), Zambia (1.5Mta).

In the same vein, the Cement Plant on Monday announced, for the second quarter of 2022 a group revenue of N808 billion for the half year ended June 31, 2022, even as winners have started to emerge from the ongoing bag of goodies season 3 promo. According to the cement company’s results made available on the website of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), revenue rose by 17 percent, compared to N690.55 billion recorded in 2021.

Dangote Cement reported group sales volume of 14.2Mt, consisting of 9.3 Mt done by Nigerian operations while the balance was contributed by operations in other African countries.

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Michel Puchercos, speaking on the result said: “Despite the elevated inflation due to a very volatile global environment, the first half of 2022 has been positive. We recorded increases in revenue and EBITDA that drove strong cash generation across the Group. We recorded revenue of ₦808.0 billion up 17 percent compared to last year and Group EBITDA of ₦373.2Billion, up 6.3 percent with an EBITDA margin of 46.2 percent.”

Puchercos explained that a significant increase in energy and AGO costs are impacting negatively on the production and supply of cement products.

He added, “to drive consumer engagement and support demand ahead of the rainy season; we have commenced the 3rd season of our National Consumer Promotion – “Bag of Goodies 3”. On the operational side, we are ramping up production at our Okpella plant and are progressing well to deploy grinding plants in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.”

He stated that the volatile international context is strengthening efforts to ramp up the usage of alternative fuels and execution of an export-to-import strategy. The company according to him is reducing dependence on imported inputs and making the local markets self-sufficient.

“Our continuous focus on efficiency, meeting market demand, and maintaining our

Dangote Cement deploys grinding plants in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire

…Revenue grows by 17% to N808 billion costs leadership drives our ability to consistently deliver superior profitability and value to all shareholders” he added.

In a related development, there are confirmed reports that the first batch of winners have emerged from the ongoing National Consumer Promotion –

“Bag of Goodies 3”. The winners will be receiving their prizes in a series of events lined up in the coming weeks.

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with nearly 51.6Mta capacity across Africa. A fully integrated quarryto-customer producer, it has a

production capacity of 35.25Mta in its home market, Nigeria.

Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 16.25Mta of capacity across five lines while Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta.

The Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta while Okpella plant in Edo state has 3Mta. Through recent investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement serving neighbouring countries.

L R: New Executive Director, North Bank, Ms Emem Usoro; Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu; New Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Oliver Alawuba; and New Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, during the corporate event to announce the appointments of new GMD and Executive Directors for UBA Group, held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, Lagos on Monday

Kuwait’s Haitham Al Ghai assumes office as OPEC secretary-general

H

aitham Al Ghais, a Kuwaiti oil and gas veteran, has formally assumed office as the new secretary-general of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Al-Ghais succeeds Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, the oil cartel’s previous secretary-general, who died on July 5.

OPEC announced this in a statement on Monday, following his appointment in January.

“OPEC today welcomed its new secretary-general, Haitham Al Ghais of Kuwait. Al Ghais was

appointed by acclamation for the post for a three-year term at the special meeting of the OPEC conference held on 3 January 2022,” the statement reads.

“He, Al Ghais, is a widely respected oil technocrat and OPEC figure with 30 years of experience in the oil sector.

“He advised six Kuwaiti oil ministers on market developments and has served as Kuwait’s governor for OPEC, chairman of the Declaration of Cooperation’s (DoC) Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and Kosovo Prosecutorial

Council (KPC) deputy managing director for international marketing.”

According to the statement, Al Ghais, who spoke during his first town hall meeting at the OPEC secretariat, said he is willing to work with stakeholders to ensure inclusive energy in all member countries.

“It is a great honour for me to be at the helm of an organization that has been instrumental in supporting a stable and sustainable supply of oil to the world for more than 61 years,” he said.

“Throughout our history, OPEC has been at the forefront of promoting dialogue, cooperation and partnerships to achieve its mission. Today, I look forward to working with our member countries and our many partners around the world to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future which leaves no one behind.”

The new OPEC scribe also led management and staff in a moment of silence and prayer in memory of the late Barkindo.

BU$IN€SS Seplat begins commercial injection of 35,000bpd oil through Amukpe-Escravos pipeline PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

S

eplat Energy Plc says it has commenced commercial injection of crude oil through the AmukpeEscravos Pipeline.

Emeka Onwuka, chief financial officer, Seplat Energy, disclosed this in a corporate filing on Monday.

In December 2021, Pan Ocean Oil Corporation (Nigeria), an E&P company, commissioned the 67-kilometre, 160,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) pipeline, making it ready for use.

According to the statement, the Seplat Energy/Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) joint venture (JV) would be injecting 35,000 barrels of oil per day (BPD) through the

PAGE 19

pipeline.

“The 67km mostly underground pipeline is expected to provide a more reliable and secure export route for liquids from Seplat Energy’s major assets OML 4, 38 and 41, connecting them with the Chevron-operated Escravos Terminal.

It has a capacity of 160,000 bbl/day, of which the Seplat Energy / NPDC joint venture is entitled to inject 35,000 bbl/ day,” the statement reads.

It added that dewatering was completed on July 29, and the “site acceptance test is now underway with commercial volumes”.

Dewatering is the process of removing water from crude oil before it is charged

to the atmospheric distillation tower.

“Until now, the company has relied on the Trans Forcados System, which has experienced numerous disruptions in recent years due to pipeline maintenance and vandalism, which have impacted the company’s revenues,” it said.

Roger Brown, chief executive officer, Seplat Energy, said the commercial launch of the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is a significant event for the company and for Nigeria.

He added that it would offer a more secure and reliable export route that “will assure higher revenues and profitability for Seplat Energy, enabling us to make a larger contribution to Nigeria’s economy”.

“We commend the work that has made this possible and appreciate the efforts of our partners and all contractors involved to create this more reliable and secure export route for Nigeria’s oil,” he said.

The Amukpe-Escravos pipeline is expected to provide another export option for the country’s oil sector, which has been battling operational difficulties due to lack of investment, oil theft, among others.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that the Trans-Niger Pipeline, a major pipeline capable of transporting about 180,000 barrels of crude per day, has been moribund since mid-June due to theft.

First shipment of Ukrainian grain leaves Odessa –Turkey

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he first shipment of Ukrainian grain left the port of Odessa on Monday under a deal aimed at relieving a global food crisis following Russia’s invasion of its neighbour, the Turkish defence ministry said.

“The ship Razoni has left the port of Odessa bound for Tripoli in Lebanon. It is expected in Istanbul on August 2. It will then continue its journey after it has been inspected in Istanbul,” the ministry said.

The vessel was carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn, according to Ukraine’s infrastructure minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

It was expected to reach the mouth of the Bosphorus on Tuesday at around midday, according to Yoruk Isik, an expert on ship movements on the Bosphorus Strait and in the region.

Other convoys would follow, respecting the maritime corridor and the agreed formalities in line with the agreement reached with Russia on July 22, Turkey said.

Built in 1996 and measuring 186 metres (610 feet) in length

and 25 metres in width, the Razoni, which is flying under the Sierra Leone flag, has a capacity of 30,000 tonnes.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia signed a landmark deal with Turkey and the United Nations aimed at easing a global food crisis caused by blocked Black Sea grain deliveries.

Turkey formally opened a special joint coordination centre in Istanbul last Wednesday to oversee the exports. The centre is being staffed by civilian and military officials from the two warring parties and delegates from Turkey and the UN. Their primary assignment involves monitoring the safe

passage of Ukrainian grain ships along established routes and overseeing their inspection for banned weapons on the way into and out of the Black Sea. The blockage of deliveries from two of the world’s biggest grain exporters has contributed to a spike in prices that has made food imports prohibitively

expensive for some of the world’s poorest countries.

UN estimates say nearly 50 million people began to face “acute hunger” around the world as a direct consequence of the war.

Wheat prices fell sharply hours after the grain deal was signed. (AFP)

R--L: , Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Otunba Olawale Fasanya with the Director General, Nigeria Country Department of African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Mr Lemin G. Barrow, during the SMEDAN DG new partnership frontier visit to the AfDB Office in Abuja . Photo: SMEDAN

Naira appreciates to N695/$ at parallel market From Abubakar Yunusa

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he naira, on Monday, appreciated against the dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange market.

Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators, popularly known as ‘abokis’, who spoke to TheCable in Lagos, quoted the naira at N695 to a dollar.

The figure represents a gain

of N12 or 1.7 percent compared to the N707 it traded last week.

The traders put the buying price of the dollar at N680 and the selling price at N695, leaving a profit margin of N15.

They attributed the appreciation in the value of the naira to the adequate availability of dollars in the market to meet demand.

“The rates have been dropping. Some people have

bought dollars from different states like Kano where it is cheap. They brought it to Lagos. Now, we have more dollars in the market compared to last week,” Musa, a BDC operator, told TheCable.

A parallel (street/black) market is characterised by noncompliant behaviour with an institutional set of rules.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stopped forex sales to

BDC operators in July last year, accusing them of being involved in illegal financial flows and money laundering in Nigeria.

Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided a BDC hub in Abuja over allegations that some operators are mopping up foreign currencies.

According to reports, the invasion was a covert

operation to “dislodge currency speculators who are alleged to be massively mopping up available foreign currencies”.

Meanwhile, the local currency fell by 0.66 percent at the official market to close at N429 on Friday, according to details on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange — a platform that oversees official foreign-exchange trading in Nigeria.

BU$IN€SS

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From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

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eystone Bank Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading retail lenders, has launched a special savings account for business owners tagged: ‘Keystone Apprentice Settlement Savings Account.

According to the bank, the new account also known as ‘Oga Account’ which was formally launched on Wednesday, in Lagos, is ‘aimed at meeting the needs of its customers across Nigeria involved in the apprenticeship system.

The lender noted that the account is a purpose-driven savings account, with zero account maintenance charges, that allows customers who are entrepreneurs, popularly known as ‘Oga’ to save conveniently and seamlessly towards building up funds to settle their apprentice/servant upon the completion of their service.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank, Mr. Olaniran Olayinka represented by the Regional Head, Region 1, Lagos

We’ve seized over N25bn worth of petroleum products in four months, says Navy

Keystone Bank launches Apprentice Settlement Savings Account for business owners and West Directorate of Keystone Bank, Mrs. Helen Maiyegun said “It is our tradition at Keystone Bank to consistently deliver products and services that support the needs and aspirations of retail businesses and SMEs, which are the economic drivers of growing and emerging economies globally.

“In furtherance of this commitment, we are currently providing capacity training, access to investment, and financial grants of N3 million (Three Million Naira) each, to SMEs in our Keystone Start Up Advantage Program aimed at equipping small business owners with requisite skills and funds required to navigate the infancy stage of their business existence.

“Therefore, in our bid to continue in this stride by delivering products and services that speak to the needs of our customers, we charged ourselves with the challenge of developing

a product that addresses business owners’ needs at the point of settling their boys or apprentices that have meritoriously served them for an agreed period.

“We want to reassure our customers that we will continue to innovate and re-imagine financial products and services to meet their ever evolving needs and expectations, backed with excellent customer experience across all our channels and touchpoints to help them achieve their goals, which resonates with our corporate slogan ‘We grow together.”

Speaking on the features and benefits of the savings plan, Mr. Anayo Nwosu, Divisional Head, Retail, SME and Value Chain of Keystone Bank noted that the plan is positioned to speak to the lifestyle needs of the bank’s customers to encourage them to save towards a goal and build financial discipline.

He added that the product solves a market need that is as old as the Bible, stressing that apprenticeship is an African culture.

“The apprenticeship model is a way of thinking about how to finance and invest in human resource entrepreneurial activities to promote economic growth, stability, and sustainable livelihood. This approach has a reputation for being highly effective, so much so that the Harvard Business Review recently decided to include it as a case study.

“The plan is designed for all classes of individuals within the Low-Income Persons (LIPs) or High-Income Persons (HIPs) and has a minimum opening balance and daily operating balance of N5,000.

“A specific lump sum is targeted at the point of entry by the customer and progressive

savings are made monthly until the set target is achieved.

“The savings could be made monthly or at any time until the set target is achieved and as an incentive for actualizing their goals, the Oga Account offers higher interest earnings than the regular accounts.

“The plan also allows cash, cheques and dividend warrant lodgments (cheques and dividend warrants, subject to allowable daily deposit of N2m with respect to the CBN policy.

“Customers can also access up to 50% of the amount saved as cash-backed credit at 14% p.a. and 1% management fees.

Some of the customers who spoke at the event, commended the bank for the initiatives and promised to key into it.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

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igerian Navy says it has seized about 64 million litres of petroleum products worth over N25 billion from oil thieves since it launched Operation Dakatar Da Barawo (OPDDB), also known as ‘Stop the Thief’.

A report had alleged that the navy was unwilling to halt the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

But Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, spokesperson of the Nigerian navy, in a statement over the weekend, said the security agency was working to curb oil theft.

In April, the navy said it seized over N3 billion worth of petroleum products from oil thieves.

“The navy has also reported regularly and given updates on its efforts in the media with over 10 press releases stating the tireless efforts of the Navy to deny oil thieves well over twentyfive billion naira (N25,000,000) worth of stolen crude oil and product,” Ayo-Vaughan said.

Ayo-Vaughan further noted that the navy “recovered 23,110,102.59litres of AGO; 39,664,420.16 litres/230,882.73 barrels of crude oil; 649,775.38 litres of DPK; 345,000.49 litres OF PMS, 380,000 litres of sludge; and 66,000 litres of LPFO”.

He added that within the same review period, 278 illegal refinery sites (IRS) were destroyed and 85 suspects arrested — with 72 boats, 23 vehicles and tanker trucks impounded.

The remains of the late Warrant Chief Petty Officer (WCPO) Benjamin Sunday Taiwo (Rtd), during the burial rites and Internment of at Ebony Vault Cemetery Alagbon Close Ikoyi recently in Lagos .. Photo: DINFO

South Africa to reduce pump prices of fuel From Abubakar Yunusa

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he South African government says it will slash the pump price of fuel from Wednesday.

Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s minister of mineral resources and energy, said this in a statement on Saturday.

He said the price adjustment is aimed at easing the burden on consumers of soaring energy prices.

South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors.

“International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs,” Mantashe said.

According to the minister, the price of petrol will drop by ZAR 1.32 ($0.08) per litre — to ZAR 25.42 and ZAR 24.99 — for 95-octane and 93-octane petrol, respectively.

The price of diesel, used mainly by farmers, haulage vehicles and emergency power generators, will also be cut by 88

cents for high-sulphur diesel and 91 cents for lower sulphur diesel, he said.

Mantashe said the prices were adjusted due to less demand for crude oil due to recession concerns and a resurgence of COVID-19 in China.

He added that “the decision by OPEC and Non-OPEC members to increase oil production” was another contributory factor.

“The average international product prices of petrol, diesel, Illuminating Paraffin and LPG have decreased during the period under review. LPG prices have

increased due to higher freight rates during the period under review,” he said.

“The movement in product prices has led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Price of petrol ULP 95 by 303.16 c/l, ULP 93 by 297.42 c/l, diesel 500ppm and 50ppm by 267.30 c/l and 271.15 c/l respectively, while the contribution to illuminating paraffin was 249.77 c/l.”

The minister said the depreciation of the rand also instigated the price reduction.

In June, the country’s inflation hit a 13-year high of 7.4 percent.

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Encroachment: Respite as FCTA begins week-long clean up in Kuje Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

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here is a sigh of respite for Abuja residents as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday commenced massive demolition of illegal structures and clean up in Kuje town, the nation’s capital city.

The exercise, which was in continuation to ongoing measures to mitigate proliferation of illegal structures, purportedly obstructing human and vehicular movements in area, followed months of sensitisation and abatement notices from relevant authorities and endorsement of Kuje stakeholders.

Officials of the FCTA backed by heavy security team drawn from the military, Police and para-military agencies stormed the area at about 10 AM and cleared road side encroachments from the notorious tipper garage to the Kuje main market.

During the clean-up exercise, which lasted for about seven hours, hundreds of structures ranging from kiosks, containers, attachments to stores and worship centres, shanties and sign posts encroaching on the road corridors.

It was however observed that some encroached areas were cleared by the owners and occupants before the enforcement team arrived for the actual removal.

Speaking with newsmen, Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, said the exercise is under the Minister’s directive and under the guidance of police Commissioner, Sunday Babaji and other security heads in the Territory Attah added that the Minister has not been comfortable with the nature of Kuje, as the extreme contraventions in multiple places in Kuje, makes the area

very unsafe, illegal settlements, due to the extreme road encroachment, road side trading, encroachment of rail corridors, and other contraventions in Kuje.

According to him, the clean-up would be a week long exercise, as Kuje has been very worrisome in some areas of insecurity.

“Today, we have been able to address the issue of road side encroachment from tipper garage to the main market, we couldn’t enter the forest, but we told them to park that forest is not supposed to be a market while we also touched the fruit market. “ Tomorrow we will be claiming the rail corridor, the entire rail corridor, and keep it safe and children can use it for recreation.

“We marked Kuje about four months ago. And we have been waiting for long, so the word of caution is what they have seen today”.

Before and after the commencement of the FCTA massive clean-up exercise in Kuje area of Abuja.

On the encroachment of the railway, the SSA explains: “Kuje chiefs and indigenes have denied selling the rail corridor to anyone and we have asked them who sold to them, they can’t say. So we have been directed by the Minister to reclaim the rail corridor.

“The Tipper garage, being a notorious place, we will keep coming, and Kuje is now like Gwarinpa”.

For one Charity Onu, a trader, who owns a shop in Kuje market said often than they are forced to bring goods to roadside, patronage is low, due to the obstructions on the road leading to the market.

According her: “Clearing of the road is very good as it will pave a way for people to come inside, but I will like to appeal to the government to give the dislodged roadside traders new place, where they can do their business”.

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world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Ukraine war: First grain ship leaves under Russia deal

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he first ship carrying grain has left a Ukrainian port under a landmark deal with Russia.

Turkish and Ukrainian officials say the ship left the southern port of Odesa early on Monday morning local time.

Russia has been blockading Ukrainian ports since February, but the two sides made a deal to resume shipments.

It is hoped the agreement will ease the global food crisis and lower the price of grain.

Turkey said the Sierra Leoneflagged vessel, the Razoni, would dock at the port of Tripoli in Lebanon, adding that further shipments were planned over the coming weeks.

The Joint Co-ordination Centre, set up in Istanbul under the deal, said the ship was carrying some 26,000 tonnes of corn and was expected to arrive in Turkish waters for inspection on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov told the BBC the Razoni was an important test to show the deal would work, with Turkey aiding its safe navigation through dangerous waters.

“There’s the question of mines,” he told BBC Newshour.

“There are a lot of mines - starting from World War Two, in addition to mines which appeared in the Black Sea starting from February - it provides a lot of risks,” he said.

There are concerns that while ships may be able to leave Ukraine with tonnes of grain, they might not be able to get affordable insurance to return for another load.

But Mr Kubrakov said he expected to see between one and three vessels going in both directions in the next few weeks, with empty ships coming to the port of Odessa from Turkey’s Bosporus Strait.

While the sight of the Razoni, with her stowed white cranes and long blue hull, inching out into the mine-infested Black Sea represents a significant development, the operation will have to last for a sustained period for either Ukraine’s damaged economy or tens of millions of people around the world to benefit.

Last month’s deal - brokered by the UN and Turkey - took two months to reach and was set to last 120 days. It can be renewed if both parties agree. UN Secretary General António Guterres welcomed the departure of the ship and hailed Turkey for its role in working to implement the agreement.

The blockade of Ukraine’s grain has contributed to a global food crisis with wheat-based products like bread and pasta becoming more expensive, and cooking oils and fertiliser also increasing in price.

Russia and Ukraine jointly

produce nearly a third of global wheat supplies. In 2019 Ukraine accounted for 16% of the world’s corn supplies and 42% of sunflower oil, according to UN data.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the shipment a “relief for the world” and urged Moscow to “respect its part of the deal”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that the ship’s departure

was a “very positive” development.

International leaders gave the shipment a cautious welcome, with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss calling it “an important first step”. But EU spokesperson Peter Stano said Russia must ensure the “whole deal” is met to resume Ukrainian exports around the world.

Under the terms of the deal, Russia has agreed not to target

ports while shipments are in transit and Ukraine has agreed that its naval vessels will guide cargo ships through waters that have been mined.

One engineer working on the Razoni told Reuters news agency that he was worried about the danger of sea mines.

“We hope that nothing will happen and that we will not commit any mistake. This is the only thing that I fear during this trip, as for the other things, we are used to them as sailors,” Abdullah Jendi said.

Turkey - supported by the United Nations - will inspect ships, to allay Russian fears of weapons smuggling.

Trust remains low between officials in Kyiv and Moscow, and last month the deal was thrown into chaos less than 24 hours after it was announced when Russia launched two missiles at Odesa port.

Odesa MP Oleksiy Goncharenko told the BBC he expected shipments to continue from the other ports on Tuesday but warned Russia might attempt to disrupt them with further military action.

“We see these awful missile attacks against Odesa in the last days - that is just their attempts to increase the risks for ship owners, for crew, not to come to Odesa,” he said.

California wildfire: Two dead as firefighters battle McKinney blaze

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wo people have been found dead amid the huge wildfire sweeping through northern California which has forced thousands from their homes.

The bodies of the dead pair were found inside a car in the driveway of a property caught in the blaze.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told ABC News the two seemed to be trying to escape the area.

The McKinney Fire has burned more than 52,000 acres, making it California’s largest this year.

The identities of the two dead people are not being released until their families have been notified.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the fire, which began on Friday afternoon before rapidly exploding in size due to a combination of dry fuel after a drought, strong winds and lightning strikes.

Around 650 firefighters are battling to contain the fire, officials say, but with little success.

Sheriffs said on Sunday evening that it was “0% contained”.

As a result, more than 2,000 inhabitants of the area around the Klamath National Forest are being forced to evacuate their homes. Rescue teams have been aiding hikers who had been on the

national park’s trails.

The nearby town of Yreka home to several thousand people - has not been evacuated, and remains outside the fire’s grasp.

Vina Swenson, who has lived in Yreka for over 20 years, told the Los Angeles Times that firefighters were cutting down bushes, shrubs and grass near her home.

“It’s reassuring that they’re keeping us safe, but the fact that they’re clearing brush here makes me think they expect the fire to reach here,” she said.

‘I just saw it explode’ Harlene Althea Schwander, an artist, had only moved into her

new home near the fire’s starting point a month ago, and had not yet unpacked everything.

“Three generations of beautiful things, all of my paintings... they’re all gone,” she told Reuters.

“When I saw it coming over from the community centre, and I just saw it explode in the dark.

I knew the house was gone,” she said. “The fire department came and told me, ‘just leave now.’”

There was one piece of good news however - Ms Schwander’s daughter-in-law had grabbed her jewellery before they fled.

Captain Joseph Amador, from Mariposa County’s fire service, told CBS News conditions are

“extreme”, but firefighters are trained and prepared to deal with this year’s wildfires. “We’re ready for it”, he added.

Despite its vast size, the McKinney fire is far smaller than last year’s Dixie fire, which tore though hundreds of thousands of acres and became the secondlargest wildfire ever recorded in California.

But the state is seeing frequent large fires during its months-long fire season. The Oak Fire, far to the south near Yosemite National Park, is still ablaze after more than a week - though it has now been brought under control and is no longer growing.

Conjoined twins separated with the help of virtual reality

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razilian twins who were joined at the head have been successfully separated with the help of virtual reality.

Three-year-olds Bernardo and Arthur Lima underwent surgeries in Rio de Janeiro, with direction from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

The teams spent months trialling techniques using virtual reality projections of the twins,

based on CT and MRI scans.

It was described by surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani as “spaceage stuff”.

It was one of the most complex separation processes ever completed, according to the charity which funded it - Gemini Untwined - which Mr Jeelani founded in 2018.

He said that, for the first time, surgeons in separate countries

wore headsets and operated in the same “virtual reality room” together.

The twins had seven surgeries, involving more than 27 hours of operating time in the final operation alone, and almost 100 medical staff.

Image source, PA Media ‘Man-on-Mars stuff’ Speaking about the VR aspect of the surgery, Mr Jeelani told

the PA news agency: “It’s just wonderful. It’s really great to see the anatomy and do the surgery before you actually put the children at any risk.

“You can imagine how reassuring that is for the surgeons.

“In some ways these operations are considered the hardest of our time, and to do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff.”

He said that previously

unsuccessful attempts to separate the boys meant their anatomy was complicated by scar tissue, and he was “really apprehensive” about the risky procedure.

Mr Jeelani said he was “absolutely shattered” after the 27hour operation, where he took only four 15-minute breaks for food and water, but it was “wonderful” to see the family feeling “over the moon” afterwards.BBC

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nternational ceasefire monitors based in South Sudan to observe the peace agreement between the country’s rival leaders have expressed concerns that the withdrawal of US support will greatly affect the implementation of the deal.

Three weeks ago, the US pulled out of South Sudan’s peace process monitoring mechanisms.

The US government was a major donor to the process – providing aviation services and logistics.

The US State Department accuses South Sudan’s leaders of failing to meet key reform milestones of the agreement they signed in September 2018 to end five years of conflict.

The unity government in South Sudan is

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South Sudan peace monitors concerned over US aid cut yet to create a unified national army of up to 83,000 troops, which was a key pillar of the peace deal.

Lt Gen Asrat Denero Ama, the Ethiopian head of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), said the withdrawal

of support had “happened at a very critical stage”.

The “mechanism wanted [the support] very much – especially the lack of aviation support will greatly hamper the proper function of the CTSAMVM”, he said in Juba.

Lt Gen Asrat said sporadic armed clashes

in Unity and Upper Nile states had continued to “significantly undermine” the permanent ceasefire.

The transitional period of the agreement expires in February next year – and it’s expected to culminate with a general election.

But it’s not clear whether it will happen.

Ex-Liberian VP picked as presidential challenger

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iberia’s opposition Unity Party has picked former Vice-President Joseph Boakai as its candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for next year.

Mr Boakai, 77, was elected unopposed during the party’s convention over the weekend.

He was deputy to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2017.

Mr Boakai will be taking a second stab at the presidency after losing to President George Weah in the 2017 general election.

The president is expected to seek reelection for a second term.

But Mr Boakai told the BBC that he was confident of defeating the former footballer - saying “I have the track record, I have the integrity, I have the experience. I have been tested, I have worked over the years with huge credibility”.

He added: “Liberians are looking for someone that can redeem this country, and they can think of nobody else but me. I am prepared to do so, I know I am capable of helping to restore the dignity of this country.”

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he UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations has said the recent deaths of five peacekeepers in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has only strengthened their determination to bring peace to the unstable region.

The statement was made earlier today at a base in the city of Goma during a tribute ceremony for four UN peacekeepers killed during anti-UN protests in the east last week.

A tribute was also paid to another peacekeeper who died in the country fighting the M23 rebel group.

The ceremony comes a day after UN peacekeepers opened fire and killed two residents in Kasindi, a town in DR Congo that

Joseph Boakai also ran for president five years ago but lost to George Weah

UN ‘now more determined’ after Congo peacekeeper deaths borders Uganda.

Frustration over what residents in DR Congo see as an inability by the UN peacekeeping force to stop attacks by armed groups in the region has been brewing, erupting into violent protests last week.

The protestors attacked two UN bases in Goma and in Butembo, where four UN peacekeepers were killed.

Two of the peacekeepers were Moroccan and the other two were Indian, all had worked in DR Congo for the UN for less than six months

- with one of those killed being stationed for only two months and 22 days.

In June UN peacekeeping forces withdrew from a different eastern province - Tanganyika - after what they described as an improvement in the security situation.

Kenya won’t block Facebook ahead of polls - ministers

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he Kenyan government won’t be shutting down Facebook despite threats by the national cohesion agency to suspend it.

The National integration and Cohesion Commission (NCIC) last week said it had written to Meta, the company that owns Facebook, demanding a response to allegations of weak controls in moderating content on its platform ahead of next month’s elections.

It threatened to suspend the company’s operations if it did not comply within seven days with the requirement to control the spread of hate speech in the country.

But the ICT minister questioned the legal framework the NCIC was using to recommend Facebook’s suspension.

“They (NCIC) should have consulted widely because they don’t have the power to shut anybody down. They don’t licence anybody,” Joe Mucheru is quoted by the Reuters new agency as saying.

Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i separately said the Kenyan government did not plan to clamp down on social media and distanced itself from the statement by NCIC. “We as a government, have no intention of infringing on that right. Those who have expressed their opinions on the shutdown of social media have done it in a personal capacity”, he said.

A report by advocacy groups Global Witness and Foxglove last week found Facebook to have approved adverts promoting hate speech and incitement ahead of the elections.

Facebook responded by saying it had enhanced controls on their platforms to make it easy to identify and remove content that could lead to election-related violence.

It acknowledged that despite the efforts “there will be examples of things we miss or we take down in error, as both machines and people make mistakes”.

“That’s why we have teams closely monitoring the situation and addressing these errors as quickly as possible,” a Meta spokesperson said.

Four years ago, bosses at the now-defunct British consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica were apparently caught on camera boasting of the control they had exerted in Kenya’s disputed 2017 presidential poll, and their company was accused of mining Kenyans’ personal data on Facebook to help President Uhuru Kenyatta win.

More than 80 in court following gang rape in South Africa Some 82 people are appearing in a South African court on Monday on suspicion of illegal mining, attempted murder, possession of explosives and contravening immigration laws.

Police have said the suspects - most of

whom are illegal miners - may also be linked to the gang rape of eight women who were part of a crew filming a music video.

That incident occurred on Thursday in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg.

The group of 12 women and 10 men said they were attacked while filming a music video at a mine dump. The eight women who were gang raped were aged between 19 and 37.

One of the victims who spoke to a local newspaper alleged that the group of illegal miners, wearing blankets and masks, approached them and fired gunshots in the air.

The victim said one of the elderly suspects then ordered the younger boys to rape the women before robbing them of their belongings.

The incident has shocked South Africa and has sparked renewed calls for chemical castration of convicted rapists.

Source; BBCUN

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Iran’s atomic energy chief says country could build a bomb but has no plan to

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ran’s atomic energy chief says the country has the ability to build a nuclear weapon but has no plan to, an Iranian news agency reports.

Mohammad Eslami’s comments echo a similar recent statement by a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader.

Such public claims by top officials are rare and are likely to intensify concerns over the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

It has advanced its nuclear activities since a deal limiting them faltered.

The 2015 agreement began to unravel when the US pulled out and reinstated crippling economic sanctions.

Iran has repeatedly claimed its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes but Western powers and the global nuclear watchdog say they are not convinced.

Western officials have warned time is running out to restore the deal before Iran’s programme reaches such a point where it cannot be reversed.

In his remarks reported on Monday by the semi-official Fars news agency, Mr Eslami reiterated comments made by the senior adviser, Kamal Kharrazi.

“As Mr Kharrazi mentioned, Iran has the technical ability to build an atomic bomb, but such a programme is not on the agenda,” Mr Eslami said.

In his own remarks made to Al Jazeera

news channel on 17 July, Mr Kharrazi said: “Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build one.”

There have been growing concerns over the so-called breakout time, or the amount of time it will take Iran to amass enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.

In June, the head of the global atomic energy agency, Rafael Grossi, said Iran could acquire such a quantity in a matter of weeks. The US put the breakout time at about a year during the period in which the nuclear deal was intact.

However Mr Grossi said possessing enough material did not mean Iran could manufacture a nuclear bomb.

In its latest report in May, the IAEA said Iran had 43.1kg (95lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity. About 25kg of uranium enriched to 90% is needed for a nuclear weapon.

The claims from Iran that it has the technical know-how to develop a bomb come at a time when Iran and world powers are at loggerheads over reviving the 2015 deal.

Months-long on-off-talks in Vienna have stalled, and rare indirect negotiations between the US and Iran on the issue which took place in Qatar in June ended without agreement.

Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is only for civilians purposes

New Zealand fully reopens borders after long pandemic closure

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ew Zealand’s borders are fully open for the first time since March 2020, when they shut in an effort to keep out Covid-19.

Immigration authorities will now begin accepting visitors with visas and those on student visas again.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it an “enormous moment”, adding it was part of a “cautious process”.

Most visitors will still need to be fully vaccinated, but there are no quarantine

requirements.

The country’s maritime border has also reopened, with cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts now allowed to dock.

New Zealand first announced a phased reopening plan in February. It allowed vaccinated citizens to return from Australia that month, and those coming from elsewhere to return in March.

In May, it started welcoming tourists from more than 50 countries on a visa-

waiver list.

“We, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” said Ms Ardern in a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday.

“But keeping people safe extends to incomes and wellbeing too.”

Tourism was one of the industries hardest hit by New Zealand’s tough Covid measures.

In the year ending March 2021, the industry’s contribution to the GDP dropped to 2.9%, from 5.5% the year before.

International tourism took an especially big hit, plunging 91.5% - or NZ$16.2bn ($10.2bn; £8.4bn) - to NZ$1.5bn, according to official data.

The number of people directly employed in tourism also fell by over 72,000 during this period.

Source: BBC

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the phone

O

n the evening of July 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on the phone at the request of the latter. The two Presidents had a candid communication and exchange on China-U.S. relations and issues of interest.

President Xi pointed out that in the world today, the trends of turbulence and transformation are evolving, and deficits in development and security are looming large. Faced with a world of change and disorder, the international community and the people around the world expect China and the U.S. to take the lead in upholding world peace and security and in promoting global development and prosperity. This is the responsibility of China and the U.S. as two major countries.

President Xi underscored that to approach and define China-U.S. relations in terms of strategic competition and view China as the primary rival and the most serious long-term challenge would be misperceiving China-U.S. relations and misreading China’s development,

and would mislead the people of the two countries and the international community.

The two sides need to maintain communication at all levels and make good use of existing channels to promote bilateral cooperation. Recognizing the many challenges facing the global economy, President Xi underscored the need for China and the U.S. to maintain communication on such important issues as coordinating macroeconomic policies, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and protecting global energy and food security.

Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy.

They would only make the world economy more vulnerable. The two sides need to work for de-escalation of regional hotspots, help rid the world of COVID-19 as early as possible, reduce the risk of stagflation and recession, and uphold the international system centering on the United Nations and the international order underpinned by international law.

President Xi elaborated on China’s

principled position on the Taiwan question.

He highlighted that the historical ins and outs of the Taiwan question are crystal clear, and so are the fact and status quo that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one and the same China. The three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués embody the political commitments made by the two sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation for China-U.S. relations.

China firmly opposes separatist moves toward “Taiwan independence” and interference by external forces, and never allows any room for “Taiwan independence” forces in whatever form. The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.

The public opinion cannot be defied.

Those who play with fire will perish by it.

It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this. The U.S. should honor the oneChina principle and implement the three

joint communiqués both in word and in deed.

President Biden said that the world is at a critical moment. U.S.-China cooperation benefits not only the two peoples but also people of all countries. The U.S. hopes to keep an open line of communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misperception and miscalculation, and will work with China where the interests of the two countries align and, at the same time, properly manage differences.

He reiterated that the one-China policy of the U.S. has not changed and will not change, and that the U.S. does not support “Taiwan independence.”

The two Presidents exchanged views on issues including the Ukraine crisis.

President Xi reiterated China’s principled position.

Both Presidents viewed their call as candid and in-depth. They agreed to stay in touch and instructed the two teams to keep up communication and cooperation.

Source: CGTN

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Feature

How Singapore is turning multi-storey car parks into farms

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yleen Goh runs a farm from the top deck of a car park in Singapore.

And this is not a small operation - it supplies nearby retailers with up to 400kg of vegetables a day, she says.

“Singapore is quite small but we have many car parks. It is pretty much the dream to have farms [here] to meet the needs of residents in the community,” she says.

At least a dozen of these rooftop farms have now sprouted up across the South East Asian city state.

The government started leasing out the unusual plots in 2020 as part of its plans to increase local food production. The country of 5.5m people currently imports more than 90% of its food.

But space in this densely populated island nation is scarce and that means land is not cheap. Singapore has some of the world’s most expensive property.

One farmer told the BBC that the high cost of his first car park plot meant that he had to give it up and move to a cheaper location.

When BBC News visited Ms Goh’s farm, which is about the third of the size of a football field, operations were in full swing.

Workers were picking, trimming and packing choy sum, a leafy green vegetable used in Chinese cooking.

At the other end of the facility meanwhile, another employee was busy re-potting seedlings.

“We are harvesting every day. Depending on the vegetables we are growing, it can range from 100kg to 200kg to 400kg per day,” Ms Goh says.

She says starting the farm cost around S$1m ($719,920; £597,720), with much of the money being spent on equipment to help speed up harvesting.

Although she has received some subsidies, Ms Goh says her business is not profitable yet.

She has 10 employees and pays a rent of around S$90,000 a year for the space and another car park site, which is still being set up.

“Our setting up period happened during the Covid pandemic, so logistics were way more expensive and took a longer time,” Ms Goh explains.

“Moreover, this was the first rooftop car park tender awarded [by the government] so the process was very new to everyone,” she adds.

Singapore’s rooftop farmers are also finding other ways to make money.

Nicholas Goh, who is not related to Ms Goh, says he has managed to turn a profit by charging people a monthly fee to harvest vegetables at his urban farm.

He says the idea is particularly popular with families who live nearby as “it is a community kind of approach, rather than a commercial approach”.

However, another urban farmer, Mark Lee, says high costs have driven him to move to an industrial building that charges a “negligible” i.e. lower rent.

“Vegetables are ultimately just vegetables.

You can get it at the freshest and best quality but there is limitation to how much one would pay. We’re not talking about truffles here,” Mr Lee says.

‘Existential issue’ Rooftop farms are not the only way Singapore aims to increase the amount of food it grows.

Most of the country’s home-grown produce comes from high-tech facilities that are heavily subsidised by the government. It had 238 licensed farms in 2020, according to official figures.

Some of the farms are already profitable, and can expand their production to increase profits, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) says.

“Food security is an existential issue for

Urban farmer Eyleen Goh farms among high-rise buildings

Workers harvesting vegetables at Eyleen Goh’s rooftop farm Singapore. As a globally connected small city-state with limited resources, Singapore is vulnerable to external shocks and supply disruptions,” an SFA spokesperson tells BBC News.

“This is why it is important that we continuously take steps to secure our essential resources,” the spokesperson adds.

Earlier this year, the issue of food security came into sharp focus in Singapore when several countries in the region banned or limited exports of key foods.

Governments reliant on imports tried

“

to protect their food supplies as the Ukraine war and the pandemic pushed up the cost of everything from staple foods to crude oil.

By 2030, Singapore aims to produce 30% of the food it consumes itself - more than three times the current amount.

Professor William Chen of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University says more support should be offered to urban farms.

“There are measures in place such as productivity grants from SFA, and regular farmers’ markets to encourage consumers to buy more local produce,” says Prof Chen, who

Singapore’s rooftop farmers are also finding other ways to make money.

Nicholas Goh, who is not related to Ms Goh, says he has managed to turn a profit by charging people a monthly fee to harvest

is a director of the university’s food science and technology programme.

“Perhaps helping local farmers to adopt simple technologies... may be considered,” he says.

However, Sonia Akter, an assistant professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, believes high operating costs are likely to remain a major challenge for urban farmers.

“Singapore is offering a lot of subsidies and financial support to entrepreneurs who are working in this space,” she says.

“The question is whether these farms will be able to operate and be commercially viable when the government support stops flowing.”

Back on a rooftop surrounded by tower blocks in the midst of Singapore’s urban sprawl, Ms Goh may seem a world away from traditional agriculture.

However, she echoes the sentiments of generations of farmers who have come before her: “Giving up is not an option. The more challenging it is, the more rewarding it will be.”

Source: BBC

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Commonwealth Games: Islamyat Adebukola wins Nigeria’s 4th medal in weightlifting

By Amaechi Agbo

F

ormer junior champion, Islamiyat Adebukola Yusuf on Monday won Nigeria’s 4th medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham clinching a Bronze medal in the women’s weightlifting 64kg event.

Despite Yusuf’s magical performance in the category, her 113kg, 116kg, and 119kg with a total of 212kg lift could only earn her Bronze in both the Snatch, Clean & Jerk.

It was the first time Islamyat is participating in the Commonwealth Games and expectations care high that more medals would come from her in future competitions.

She’s the third female and fourth Team Nigeria weightlifter to win a medal in the event after Edidiong Joseph Umoafia won bronze in the Men’s 67kg and the first gold medalist for Team Nigeria at the 2022 Games Adijat Adenike Olarinoye in the Women’s 55kg.

The 19-year-old finish third behind Maude Charron (Canada) and Cochrane Sarah (Australia) who finished in first and second positions respectively.

While Charron who set a new Games Record had a combined lift of 231KG, the 216KG combined lift earned by Cochrane was good enough for the Silver medal Monday’s bronze medal is the fourth medal for Nigeria in the weightlifting event where the country had earlier won two

Islamyat Adebukola Yusuf in action in Birmingham on Monday

gold and another bronze medal.

All Nigeria’s medals so far have come from weightlifting.

Earlier on Monday Team Nigeria

Judoka Edwin Peter competed in the Men’s -66kg elimination Round of 16 Judo event.

Peter did not advance to the

quarterfinals, losing by Ippon (when an opponent’s back is thrown to the mat with considerable force and speed) to Northern Ireland’s Nathon Burns.

Mavlon FC new signing Muhammed S Stars against Flight FC

T

he new signing of Mavlon FC of Otukpo, Ibrahim Muhammed Beji was the cynosure of all eyes in the Nationwide League One (NLO), game against Flight FC at Gboko township stadium on Saturday evening.

Although, the game ended 2-1 in favour of Flight FC, Muhammed was able to prove how vital he is through his contribution on the pitch of play for his club to the delight of football fans that graced the occasion.

His deft touches, dribbling runs as he tormented the defenders of Flight FC, simply showed that he is a national asset, who was very instrumental to the success of the Flying Eagles at the WAFU B U 20 tournament in May where Nigeria emerged as champions.

Speaking after the game, Kayode Jabala, the chief coach of Mavlon FC said

that it was sad that his team lost after his boys worked very hard to earn at least a point.

However, he was impressed with his team and particularly with the performance of Muhammed, who recently joined the team.

“We are not happy that the team lost.

The players gave their all in the game, but football can be cruel sometimes when the result does not go as you planned,” Kayode Jabala said.

“With the performance i saw from my team, I think we should have left the field with at least a draw. Ibrahim Mohammed, who just joined the team played so well.

“Mavlon FC will continue to give room for young players to come and develop themselves here. That is the main focus of the club and we strongly believe that Mohammed is here to develop his game

more.

“He has settled down very quickly with his team mates and played well within the tactical formation deployed for the game,” he said.

Muhammed Beji, the Nigerian U20 player showed his ability and talent and there is no doubt that he would continue to deliver value for Mavlon FC and his beloved country, Nigeria.

Mavlon FC new acquired Muhammed from Maikunkele Football Academy of Minna. He was initially with Tempo Academy in the same Minna, Niger State.

The exploits of Muhammed for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the WAFU B U 20 tournament in Niger two months ago, where he scored three goals caught the attention of some clubs in Europe and North Africa, but nothing concrete was offered to secure the player.

Muhammed Beji of Malvon FC

Nigeria finishes fourth at African Beach Volleyball Championship

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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Nigeria finishes fourth at African Beach Volleyball Championship

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igeria women’s team placed fourth at the just concluded 2022 African Beach Volleyball Senior Nations Championships in Morocco.

Nigeria’s Rofiat Mustapha and Esther Mbah lost to Mozambique Muianga and Sinaportar 0-2 (9-21, 13-21) in the third place match on Monday.

Despite losing the third place match, coach of Nigeria beach volleyball team, Kayode Ajilore commended the resilient spirit of the girls.

Ajilore said the initial plan of Team Nigeria was to enter into the finals but returning home without a medal is painful.

He said, “I am happy with the fighting

spirit of Esther Mbah and Rafiat Mustapha throughout the championship; they performed above my expectations.

“Before departing the country, our benchmark was to reach the finals in either the men’s or women’s team. Returning home without a medal is painful but I must commend the girls for giving their

opponents good fights in the semifinals and third place match.

“This is the first time Rafiat Mustapha and Esther Mbah will be pairing in an African Championship and I am optimistic they will win laurels for the country in subsequent championship”, he added.

Abia Warriors, Imama Amakpakabor part ways after Aiteo Cup ouster

By Amaechi Agbo

N

igeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Abia Warriors of Umuahia, Abia State have parted ways with its coach, Imama Amakpakabor.

Just two years after his appointment as the Abia Warrior’s gaffer, Imama Amakpakabor has found himself in the football labour market after both parties decided not to renew his twoyear contract which expired in July.

Imama’s situation was made worse following 2-1 defeat Abia Warriors suffered against Nigeria National League, NNL side, Ottasolo FC in the Round 64 of the 2022 Aiteo/FA Cup. Flowing the “unexpected” result, the management

of Abia Warriors Football Club announced that it has parted ways with Coach Imama Amapakabor after the expiration of his two year contract.

The club thanked the former home-based Super Eagles coach for the services rendered and wished him well in his future assignment.

Since taking over the affairs of the club in July 2020, Abia Warriors had consistently struggled to remain afloat in the elite league needing last day of 2022 NPFL season to escape the drop.

When Contacted the, the Media officer of the Club, Chigozie Nwosu, he confirmed that the parting was on a mutual consent as the club was not ready to renew his contract.

Former Abia Warriors coach, Imama Amakpakabor

Athletics Federation announces Premium Trust Bank as official banking partner

A

thletics Federation of Nigeria has announced Premium Trust Bank as the official banking partner of the federation.

Mr. Ebidowei Oweifie, the Chief Operating Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited said “We are pleased to announce Premium Trust Bank as the official banking partner of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria”.

“Premium Trust Bank has demonstrated demonstrated dedication to the growth and development of Athletics

in the country, as a forward thinking and fast growing brand, we are very confident that this is a collaboration that will transform athletics in Nigeria.”

Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Hon. Tonobok Okowa added that “Athletics in Nigeria is evolving, we are churning out world class athletes who are determined to push beyond the boundaries and set new standards, having a bank like Premium Trust on board as the banking partner of AFN displays the commitment of

the bank to Nigerian athletes, this partnership will also be very beneficial to all athletes as it is a way of securing their financial future “ Mr Oweifie added that the deal was concluded five weeks ago, however Nilayo hesitated to make the announcement to ensure that there is enough concentration on the Athletics events happening in Oregon, Birmingham and Cali as they are landmark events for Nigerian athletes.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN is the

governing body for the sport of Athletics in Nigeria, an affiliated member of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and World Athletics.

Premium Trust Bank is on a mission to provide solutions to peculiar financial challenges of customers through innovation and speed of execution, improving lives, communities, and businesses, this will be achieved through premium service delivery, human capital and customer experience.

Nilayo Sports Management Limited is a sports management and sponsorship consulting company, working with some of the biggest names in the world of sports like World Athletics, CAA, AFN and NNL. Our aim is to promote sports from the grassroot level to international in Africa by bridging the gap between the sports Industry and the private sector, hereby forging alliances through sponsorship and value creation

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

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S P R T How England won Euro 2022 Women’s Championship are queens first time ever

England women celebrating After they beat Germany to win Euro 2022 on Sunday

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ngland created history by winning their first major women’s tournament in a dramatic Euro 2022 final against old rivals and eight-time champions Germany at Wembley.

Substitute Chloe Kelly poked home a loose ball from a corner to send the raucous record crowd of 87,192 into a frenzy with ten minutes of extra time remaining.

She waited for confirmation of the goal before taking off her shirt and waving it around her head, while being lifted by her team-mates in a moment of pure elation.

On a monumental day in English football history, Sarina Wiegman’s side showed they were equal to anything a strong and physical Germany team threw at them.

Ella Toone had earlier come off the bench to score the opener in normal time before Germany’s Lina Magull set up a nervous ending when she equalised in the 79th minute.

There were scenes of jubilation in the stands and an outpouring of emotion by players on the pitch at full-time as the magnitude of their achievement sank in.

The final was advertised as a battle between the competition’s two bestperforming sides, and for large parts they cancelled each other out - but the biggest crowd in the history of a men’s or women’s Euros was given their money’s worth.

Striker Ellen White missed a few chances in the first half, Lucy Bronze was denied with a header, Germany’s Magull

struck wide and England defender Leah Williamson had to scramble a corner off the line before Toone was introduced to break the deadlock.

She had given England fans the winning taste before Magull stunned the home crowd, though it would only delay the celebrations that Kelly, who only returned to football in April after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, gave them.

England did what no other nation had done before - beat serial winners Germany in a European Women’s Championship final, and the feeling was sweet.

It comes 56 years after England’s men beat West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, the only previous major trophy won by a men’s or women’s England senior team.

The players fell to the ground at fulltime in tears of joy, in scenes which will be remembered and replayed for years to come on one of the greatest nights in English sport.

Perfect ending for hosts England It was a final like no other in every sense - the build-up was on a scale above anything seen in women’s football in Great Britain, and it provided the perfect ending.

Male fans were sporting England shirts with their female icons’ names on the back on the London Underground on the way to the match, while fan parks around the country were filled with supporters watching the final on big screens.

Wembley Way was already packed on Sunday morning and there were boos when Germany were announced on the stadium tannoy before kick-off.

And it looked like things were going England’s way when Germany’s lethal striker Alexandra Popp, joint-top scorer in the tournament going into the final, picked up an injury and dropped out of the starting XI just before kick-off.

The feistiness off the pitch translated on to it too - referee Kateryna Monzul awarded two early yellow cards for innocuous fouls by England, and the crowd were frustrated for much of the first half when decisions didn’t go their way.

The physical battle between the sides continued and the game swung back and forth.

Germany had momentum going into extra time after Magull had hit the post before equalising.

But as this England team have shown throughout the tournament, they would not be beaten easily.

They continued to threaten and Kelly ran over to the fans to galvanise them when taking a corner, moments before she delivered the winner England fans across the country have dreamed of for 56 years.

Kelly’s moment after comeback fairytale The familiar sound of England fans singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ while serenading the players at full-time was even sweeter this time around.

The Three Lions lyrics have finally come true as football came home at the national stadium in front of the largest crowd in

England women’s history.

Captain Williamson was sobbing at fulltime, while vice-captain Millie Bright wiped tears from her face in an embrace with best friend Rachel Daly.

Wiegman, who has now become the first manager in history to win back-to-back Euros with two different nations after also guiding the Netherlands to glory in 2017, also removed her mask of calmness as she ran on to the pitch with her arms in the air and a look of disbelief.

Midfielder Jill Scott, who had suffered defeat at the hands of the Germans in the final in 2009, came on in extra time to help England get over the line and was overcome with emotion.

Young Manchester United star Toone, who has come off the bench to contribute three goals in this tournament, took centre stage when she opened the scoring - but the biggest moment was Kelly’s.

After being forced to sit out the Olympic Games and miss 11 months of football, she fought her way into selection for the Euros and has delivered the goal which will never be forgotten.

Victory in the final was capped by England forward Beth Mead picking up the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals and five assists.

England lifted the trophy to a standing ovation and defender Bronze then slid across the pitch, covered in confetti, before the players embarked on a victory lap draped in flags of Saint George.

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

SPORTS LATEST

Kano State Government repairs Katsina United FC bus

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he 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season might have been won and dusted, however, the ripples still vibrate and this time, it is the repair of Katsina United Football Club’s coastal bus by Kano State government.

The Kano State Government fulfilled its promise by repairing the Katsina United Fc Vehicle Vandalized by the irate supporters of Kano Pillars during week 23 league encounter.

It could be recall that during the MD 23 of the just concluded NPFL season the Pillars fans disrupted the match at the 89th minutes of the game and vandalized the visiting team bus The Government of Kano State handed over the repaired bus to the management of Katsina United FC as directed by the League Management Company, LMC Katsina United management expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government for fulfilling the promise and prayed for God to avert the reoccurrence of the incident which they said is tarnishing the good image of the North Western part of the Country in the sporting activities.

Kano Pillars were relegated to the lower division, Nigeria National League, NNL following deduction of 6 points from their accruing league standings due reoccurrence of fans violate acts.

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Whither beauty contests and queens?

Tuesday T Column hey are springing up like mushrooms hither and thither such that almost every state has a crowned beauty queen, like Miss Ondo, Miss Anambra, Miss Rivers, Miss Kaduna, etc. In addition, we now have crowned beauty queens for specific events and sectors, such as Miss Calabar Festival, Miss Tourism, Miss Campus, etc; and institutions too like Miss University and so on.No event, festival or carnival seems to be complete without a beauty queen being selected for it. Expectedly therefore, pageant organizers are multiplying in leaps and bounds.

In bygone days there used to be only one beauty contest – Miss Nigeria – put together by then oldest surviving newspaper house in the country, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN). DTN had exclusive right to the Miss World competition where winners of the Miss Nigeria contest participated. Later, as seemingly bad times fell on DTN, Silverbird group stepped in and started organizing “the most beautiful girl in Nigeria (MBGN)” contest. It aligned itself with Miss Universe competition to which it sponsored its own MBGN winners.Beauty pageants got a boost in the country and Nigerians became more interested in them when we woke up many years ago to hear the unexpected news that a Nigerian had won the Miss World competition. Many Nigerians were excited, the media feasted on it, and the government promoted it as one of it’s, and by extension Nigeria’s, notable feats. Agbani Darego was the crowned world beauty queen, a.k.a.Miss World.

Later, we were hit with the news that a Nigerian had made another conquest, winning the Face of Africa competition, in the person of Oluchi.

And soon, young girls aged between 18 and 28 years started falling over themselves to be beauty queens, attracted by the mouth-watering bounties that go with being a beauty queen and, of course, the accompanying fame of being

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a pageant winner. Whether as Miss Nigeria, Miss MBGN or Face of Nigeria, winners are assured of brand new luxury cars, over N400,000 monthly salary for at least a year and endorsements from commercial outfits. Not surprisingly, some contestants unscrupulously started cutting corners in their desperate bid to become beauty queens (I remember a beauty queen was stripped of her crown for cheating); just as there emerged organizations offering special coaching sessions for a fee to potential pageant participants to enable them be winners.

However, the criteria for choosing the most pretty Nigerian girl by these organizations are foreign, set according to the white man’s standards. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. In the eyes of Europeans and Americans, a skinny lady is a beauty to behold. For us Africans, we sing praises to the plump, wellapportioned woman while a thin person somewhat repulses us. Generally, Africans would consider a lean person as sick more or less, while one with a plump, sturdy shape with accompanying rosy cheeks is seen as evidencing good living.

Whoever is selected as Miss Nigeria, Miss MBGN or Face of Nigeria by whatever criteria

“

by pageant organizers cannot be said to be the prettiest in the country because the competitions are limited to those who apply to participate.

Some of the most beautiful ladies in Nigeria are found in the countryside where shamelessness is still frowned at.

These people by virtue of their good upbringing shy away from showing off their body.

At beauty contests, the girls show off parts of their bodies in a bikini wear segment to an audience that is mixed. You can guess what many of the men would be imagining on sighting such. This is defilement through lustfulness, notwithstanding that there is no physical contact.

Until not long ago, all that a beauty queen did was paying courtesy visits to corporate and government agencies where she was lavished with personal gifts.

Then they added visitations to orphanage homes, institutions for the handicapped, etc.

Recently, they started forming their own non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and taking on a particular issue to focus or campaign on during their reign. These include girl child education, keeping the environment green, etc.

However, this only lasts for the duration of their one-year reign after which nothing is

Essentially therefore, beauty pageants are chiefly for entertainment purposes, to feed our eyes on a beautiful face, which does not translate to any enduring values for us

heard about their campaigns.

Instead, they dabble into commercial advertisements and promotions for personal gains thereafter. Their socalled NGOs also die a natural death, especially since the winners are still chiefly tertiary students with no working experience or experience about the outside world itself as independent persons.

Their campaigns during their brief time as Miss Nigeria, Miss Face of Nigeria, Miss MGBN, etc., have little or no impact on society generally.

Essentially therefore, beauty pageants are chiefly for entertainment purposes, to feed our eyes on a beautiful face, which does not translate to any enduring values for us.

Everybody likes a beautiful thing whether a physical body or nature itself. To be more beneficial to society, beauty queens could become activists after their tenure, during their working life, championing women-related issues like campaigns against prostitution, violence against women, human trafficking, etc. Their beautiful faces should not just be admired for the sake of admiration but rather they should use it as a means to a beautiful goal that would impact our society positively on a long term basis.

More importantly, they should be beautiful both externally and inwardly.They should at all times strive after what is true, pure and noble in their thoughts, words and deeds.

DAN GAYE DANGAI Insecurity, political intolerance inflicting wounds on Nigerians - Kwankwaso

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