A 24-year old pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, and a crippled, Shehu Adams were among the people arrested for various drug related offenses by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the course of last week.

A statement on Sunday by the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the pregnant woman and the cripple were arrested by NDLEA operatives in Agbede, Etsako West local government area of Edo state while over 14 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and swinol were recovered from them last Saturday.

Babafemi also disclosed that consignments of tramadol, rohypnol, Ecstasy (designer drug) and cannabis concealed in winter jackets and bottles of body cream were intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said the psychoactive substances were recovered at the new terminal of the airport last Friday following the arrest of a passenger, Josiah Sunday who was traveling on a Qatar Airline flight via Doha to Oman, in the Middle East.

He noted that a thorough search of the suspect’s two black bags led to the discovery of 4.8 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in three winter jackets and various quantities of tramadol, rohypnol, Ecstasy (designer drug) hidden in bottles of body lotion, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect came into Nigeria from Oman on April 7, and was returning exactly a week after.

He also disclosed that a Lekki Lagos based businessman, Cyril Chidiebere was on last Friday arrested along with two of his freight agents: Mejabi Sunday and Oyeyinka Babatunde over their involvement in the importation of 12 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.5 kilogrammes, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.

He revealed that the arrest and seizure followed a three-day intelligence led operation. He said: “Following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Cyril Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos. Both Mejabi and Chidiebere have made useful statements to confirm that the latter has been involved in dealing on illicit drugs in the past.”

Babafemi also said a 22-year old HND 1 female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, Isoyo Susan was last Saturday arrested opposite 2nd Gate of the institution for dealing in illicit drugs. He said recovered from her include 1,100Ml. of codeine-based cough syrup and 283 grammes of cannabis, noting that this is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, with 43.4 kilogrammes cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state last Friday.

In Katsina state, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Sa’adu in Katsina metropolis on Sunday 9th April just as Muhamadu Yusuf was equally arrested same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along Kano – Katsina road.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna last Thursday raided a clandestine laboratory where mist potassium citrate was being produced in a residential apartment at 16 Sabon Gari, Zaria. The owner of the lab, Christopher Agodi was arrested and 102 cartons containing 2,448 bottles of the substance recovered; while a suspect, Salisu Abdullahi, 25, was arrested along Abuja-Kaduna road with 11.7 kilogrammes cannabis concealed in two jerrycans, which he was moving from Port Harcourt to Kano. Operatives also last Saturday nabbed one Atiku Abubakar, 22, on the same road with 50 blocks of cannabis weighing 28 kilogrammes while travelling from Lagos to Shinkafi in Zamfara state in a commercial bus.

He added that similarly, anti-narcotic officers acting on a tip-off, arrested two suspects: Aminu Saudi, 45 and Abdullahi Sani, 35, at Ogbese, Ondo state, with 11 jumbo bags containing 211 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in rice chaffs. This was closely followed by the destruction of six hectares of cannabis farm in Uso forest in the state lat Thursday.
Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Edo, Ogun, Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna and Ondo Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week. He urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain focused and continue the current drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts simultaneously.

-By Kemi Daniels:

Professor Abideen Olaitan Olaiya is a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) that secured the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President -elect of Nigeria. His political trajectory dated back to the mid 90s. He contested for the position of APC National Secretary in 2022, he was the running mate to Late Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala in the 2019 gubernatorial race in Oyo state.

He hails from Oke Oluokun, Ibadan and bagged his Ph.D in Agronomy from the University of Ibadan in 2006.

His political experience dated back to 1995/96 when he contested for Chairman of Ibadan South East Local Government through the Zero party platform and subsequently under GDM and PDP. He contested for the Oluyole Federal seat in 2007 under Labour party with Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja as the leader.

He joined ACN in 2010 under the leadership of Chief Lam Adesina to produce Late Chief Abiola Ajimobi as Governor of Oyo State. Professor Olaiya together with Otunba Alao-Akala rejoined the APC in a political merger in 2019 to support the party in Oyo State. He has since contributed to the development of the party in all ramifications.

Olaiya, 56, lectures at the Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Tinubu’s Government of National Competence and the overwhelming choice for Ministries Lead

A few days after the ‘almighty’ 2023 Presidential election was won and lost, some individuals called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form a government of National Unity to persuade the aggrieved and chart a call for unity in the country. This statement caused a swift flashback to the fearless statement of MKO Abiola where he promised the then Abacha’s Military Junta to form a Government of National Unity in an effort to reclaim his mandate of June 12, 1993. Were the circumstances similar in 2023? Of course, NOT. Did we need a Government of National unity? Yes, but we need to even step more further. And here the concept of competence sets in.

A Government of National Competence; first or second agenda?

No doubt, one of Asiwaju’s unique selling points is his talent for hunting talent. No one in the history of Nigeria’s political success has achieved better than him in regard to building a strong team and mentoring them to become leaders. To date, his Commissioners back in his governorship years is super relevant after 20 years. So, one’s attention was drawn to a statement credited to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that he would form a government of national competence, this is a welcome development as against the proposed government of national unity.

An author once said “The secret behind the success of Dubai is in its leadership. Dubai Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed knows what he wants, and it is impossible for these projects to happen without his consent and personal supervision. It is obvious that he is giving men and women in Dubai full powers, but, at the same time, he holds them accountable for the outcome and the promises they make.” On this premise, it is certain that the first task for Asiwaju is not forming a government of National competence, rather, it is to have a clear understanding of what he wants for Nigeria. Thereafter, getting the team to deliver comes next.

Renewed Hope: Action Plan for a Better Nigeria

In answering the question of what Tinubu wants for Nigeria, let us take a quick look at what Tinubu’s plan entails as contained in his manifesto for Nigeria entitled Renewed Hope . The 80-page action plan is fully loaded with beautiful thoughts. It’s an action plan that needs a serious-minded team to execute. In some cases, these plans had their goals and intended solutions. Of all the plans, the flawless plan’s vision for Agriculture in Nigeria is superb. It’s actually fascinating, to say the least. The promise to bring back the commodity board which had been abandoned for so long, the creation of grain reserves and food storage, rural infrastructural development, irrigation, access to finance, farm cooperative among others are well thought out.

That’s just on agriculture, he still have unambiguous plans on national security, economy, power, oil & gas, education, and health care among other very important sectors.

The cabinet formation and list of competence
It is an open secret that the race for appointment in the Tinubu’s government has begun. The struggle is in two categories, presidency and ministerial. Under the presidency, we have the following as offices to be filled – Chief of Staff, CoS, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Special Advisers, SAs, and Senior Special Assistants, SSAs.

The name of the likes of Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, Femi Gbajabiamila, Babatunde Fashola, James Faleke, Wale Edun, Dimeji Bankole, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Bayo Onanuga and several others are all over the media space.

Flowing from names being touted in the media, it is expected that the bulk of people that will work in the presidency and in the cabinet are Tinubu’s core loyalists and competent members of the party.

For ministerial lobbying, this area comes with many complexities, scheming, and state political peculiarity. Notwithstanding all these, Asiwaju must look deep for productive personalities and not replicate a retirement benefit for former governors or political big-wigs.

Oyo State and her long list of ministerial aspirants

Oyo state stands out amongst others being a pacesetter with regards to Ministerial nomination permutations. It is going to be another form of battle royale reminiscent of internal intense party primaries. The scheming, no doubt, is similar in many other states as well.

The mere fact that Teslim Folarin of APC was unable to unseat the incumbent Seyi Makinde of PDP during the March 18 governorship election in Oyo state had made the ministerial contest even more competitive among the gladiators. Folarin has a national political war chest within the APC, and many had speculated that he may be compensated for losing the Guber race by a ministerial nomination. But this reminded me how Sunday Dare was appointed minister and Adebayo
Adelabu of APC who lost to Makinde of PDP in the 2019 governorship election was not compensated. Sunday Dare, the current Minister of Sports got the slot instead as an Asiwaju’s boy, and so he can’t be written off too in the new dispensation. The likes of Sen. Soji Akanbi, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Adebayo Shittu, KK Raji, Prof. Abideen Olaiya, Engr.Rauf Olaniyan, èrstwhile Deputy Governor to Seyi Makinde and many others are names on the radar.

Of all the names being bandied around, Prof. Abideen Olaiya stands out going by his credential in politics and profession as a good catch for Asiwaju’s passionate drive for Agricultural revival and food stability. Olaiya has the pedigree to do the magic in the agriculture ministry especially at this critical time when Asiwaju needs extraordinary performers and technocrats. More importantly, the Ministry of Agriculture had been managed by all kinds of non-agricultural experts since 1999. Aside Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who had his degrees in Agricultural economics, no other minister till date can be said to have background in core agricultural discipline.

Ministries of Finance, Power, Education, Petroleum, Health, Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Employment are also ministries that deserve expert and committed individuals.

Olaiya preference stemmed from the fact that he is a loyal member of the party that have severally sacrifices his ambition for party success. He stepped down for APC governorship candidate in 2019 in Oyo state without any compensation . He was also asked to step down for national secretary at the last APC convention with the promised of refund not yet fulfilled till date by the party.

Olaiya was a strong supporter of Asiwaju presidential project, belonging to several support groups and PCC.

He is sincere and dedicated advocate of good governance with an NGO, Political Awareness Group (PAG) formed to his credit.

He is a competent professional in the field of agriculture, education, value reorientation and Youth development.

Olaiya is not just an ordinary Academic farmer but has personal farms scattered around Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ondo States as well as supplying farm products and practical trainings/consultancy services to the farming communities.

Prof Olaiya was also involved in the establishment and management of private educational institutions from basic to tertiary levels, contributing immensely to attainment of millennium development goals in educational sector.

For competence in all ramifications and well suited personality for any presidential and cabinet position, Olaiya towers above his peers especially from Oyo state with intimidating credentials and academic excellence that fits in into Asiwaju’s Renewed Hope agenda for Nigeria.

• Kemi Daniels , a public analyst, writes from Ibadan.
  kemidaniels@yahoo.com

The National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre (NaLECC) with the assistance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) and funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation.

A statement from the United States Embassy on Friday read that Nigeria’s National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre (NaLECC), in its efforts to align with international standards and with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) and funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation from the Kenya Accreditation Service.

ISO 17025:2017 provides requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operations of laboratories.

NaLECC, a standard laboratory equipment calibration centre, was established in 2020 through US CDC funding to strengthen laboratory service delivery in Nigeria. Hosted and administered by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), NaLECC is the first of its kind in the country. Technical assistance for the establishment and accreditation of the centre was provided by U.S. CDC partners, the Africa Society for Laboratory Medicine, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, and the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria.

The statement said at the event to formally present the accreditation certificate, the Minister of State for Health Barr. Joseph Ekumankama commended MLSCN and its partners for the significant milestone.

The accreditation certifies that the centre provides services that meet ISO 17025:2017 quality standards, a first for a PEPFAR-supported laboratory in Nigeria. It also allows internationally accredited laboratories in Nigeria and across West Africa to have their equipment calibrated in Nigeria rather than outside of the region.

U.S. CDC Country Director Mary Boyd expressed confidence that with continued support to NaLECC, the accreditation would be sustained. She also emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to prioritizing and sustaining support for quality laboratory services in Nigeria.

-By Austen Akhagbeme:

That the recently concluded General elections in Nigeria left a sour taste in our mouths as regards the processes of preparation, execution and outcomes are no longer in doubt.

This has thrown up, for the umpteenth time, the recurrent issues of unity, ethnicity, elite hypocrisy and electoral violence. And this is capable of disparaging the appreciable positive vibes the election brought to the table.

For the first time in a long while, a third force emerged to unseat age-old political permutations and punditry. The Labour Party became a moving train that turned the apple cart in the unexpected direction to the benefit of our representative democracy and the quest for a departure from the usual and the familiar.

The crises of confidence that engulf the electoral umpire by the people’s numerous accusations and the various accusations and counter-accusations by the political parties have left us with a politically gloomy atmosphere that seems to have postponed “the evil day” to the ball court of the judiciary.

While waiting for the judiciary, so many questions need to be asked and more answers provided to address the present deepening mistrust among Nigeria’s federating units vis-a-vis the rebirth of the monster of religious politicking among the conquering ruling elites.

Politics have once again been reduced to tribal tirades and everyone seems to be in support of their ethnic convenience as against the general well-being of the generality of the Nigerian people.

Highly educated and supposedly informed and respected individuals have returned to the convenience or inconvenience of their ethnic cocoons, firing ceaselessly at the relative peace we have mutually enjoyed over the years, to the spiteful consternation of the other and equally intolerant ethnic group.

Yet, all these are brought about and further deepened by our very variant of Democracy and the democratisation process and not a military regime. Then, how united are we as a nation and how disunited can we likely become amid this melee, in the nearest future?

Democracy is blind and ineffective when it cannot address the basic problems of representation and fundamental rights of citizens. Our Democracy seems to be powered by disjointed and highly competitive cyclical elites who seem to have conquered us all, using the instrumentality of ethnicity and religion. It is a pity!

Our hydra-headed dilemma as a nation can be likened to the proverbial chicken and the egg; which one comes first in our troubleshooting scale? Is it the people or the system? For example, was the Nigerian electoral body the problem or the people that run it?

We must once again, take a cursory look at our institutions and the need to strengthen them beyond the easy influences of the men that run them with the connivance of state power.

Our politics should go beyond petulant perversities and the mundane levels of unnecessary hate, bigotry and negative energy being displayed by both the older generation and the younger. Let us reject the elite manipulation that is putting everyone on overdrive. It is a deceptive strategy from hell.

• Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

Abuja – Nigeria graduated the third cohort of the Growing Expertise in E-Health Knowledge and Skills (GEEKS) fellowship program graduated in Abuja. GEEKS is a capacity-building program funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and implemented by the Africa Field Epidemiology Network and the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria. The cohort included seven fellows from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

During the program, fellows, with oversight from ten mentors, developed a Data Analysis and Visualization Tool for Nigeria’s District Health Information Software 2 dashboard to show linkages between adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and immunizations received to help facilitate the fast-tracking of responses to any adverse events following immunization. The fellows also developed a routine immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) dashboard for Nigeria’s Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System to link immunization coverage with outbreaks. Both dashboards will help inform and improve Nigeria’s public health programming and response efforts.  

The GEEKS fellowship was established in 2019 as a data management capacity-building program where nominated staff of government agencies participate in a 12-month intensive training and mentorship initiative focused on transferring and strengthening technical skills to optimize data collection and analysis to inform evidence-based decision-making and improve public health service delivery. Since its inception, the program has trained over 50 government of Nigeria staff on data management, triangulation, interpretation, communication, and research writing.

Recruitment for the fourth cohort is currently underway and will include staff from NPHCDA, NAFDAC, NCDC, and the Federal Ministry of Health. The training and mentorship sessions will take place from May 2023 to April 2024 and will focus on building the capacity of subnational-level government staff.

The GEEKS fellowship reinforces the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s federal and states ministries of health in the development, implementation, and evaluation of disease response efforts and programs that contribute to a strengthened public health infrastructure.

 … Market Begins Daily Trading Activities Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation) Monday achieved a milestone when it brought back to use the market at Onicha-Olona that was built 20 years ago by the Aniocha North Local government administration of Callistus Nwawolo but abandoned because of lack of good access road.

However, through the magnanimity and benevolence of the DAO Foundation that has Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei, wife of Major General Raymond Ochei as founder and President, the market was rehabilitated, expanded and commissioned by the incumbent Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime for immediate us.

Okwechime was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh.

The event which brought joy to the sleepy town of Onicha Olona was graced by notable personalities, including the Obi of Onicha-Olona, His Royal Majesty Obi Uzu Diji, former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and Executive Director, NIMASA, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Major Gen. Ochei, Chairman, Delta State waste Management Board, Hon. Emma Chinye, the Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, the clergy among numerous others.

Speaking at the commissioning and unveiling of the plaque of the market, President of DAO Foundation, Dr (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei, while thanking God for the grace and the guests for gracing the occasion said: “Today for me is a dream come through because the day that we came to commission this road, I looked at the market and I felt that it was a huge waste leaving the market lying like this. And I decided that something has to be done to encourage women to come here to start trading.”

She said that the Dr. Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation) is one that is interested in the development of community, especially uplifting the standard of living of the men, women and children.

She explained that this is because of the peculiar nature of women and the responsibility of training and  bringing up the children, taking care, of their husbands, the home and making themselves as wives presentable to husbands make huge demands on the women.

Dr (Mrs) Ochei said: “That is why DAO Foundation is interested in women. So we looked at it and said if were empower women so they can become financially capable. When I say financially capable, I don’t mean being independence because you can’t be independent from your husband, no matter how rich you are. But capable to be able to take care of some things; take care of yourself without stressing the man all the time.”

She urged the women to understand that it is important for them to engage their minds to be financially able to done things little by little and thus help to reduce pressure on husbands.

“You will help to train the children; you will look good for your husband and even come to assist your husband in case he becomes a little bit financially dependent,” Dr. (Mrs) Ochei said.

She pointed out that being women they need to be financially capable.

 “This is why we said putting this market into operation will enable women to take advantage of it to support their families. That’s why we took interest in bringing up this market,” she said.

Dr. (Mrs) Ochei then encouraged the women to immediately begin to put the market to use by moving their wares and products into the stalls.

Urging them to begin to operate the market daily henceforth, she said: “Operating daily market is important. With daily market people will no longer go to Issele-Uku to buy things. It is based on this that we said that the 87 market women who are already established as traders in this market, DAO Foundation will support you with N50,000 each . This will stand as take off grant for you.”

She continued: “I encourage you to move into this market immediately. Understand that once this becomes a regular market in Onicha-Olona, it will attract other commercial activities; attract people including those who operate garri business. When they begin to come, they need rented accommodation and so on and so forth.

“That’s why I am asking and pleading with you to move into this market facility immediately to commence trading activities,” the Dao Foundation president said.

She greeting members of the Omu institution, acknowledging that the market place is their turf  and responsibility.

Speaking, the Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh, while commending the people of Onicha-Olona for the epoch making event that will go down in history as an effort to deepen the concept of Private-Public- Partnership and self-help effort in community development, acknowledged with commendation the vision and commitment of Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation to the rehabilitation/expansion of the modern market that has the potential to inspire a wide range of income generating and livelihood enhancing activities.

“Permit me therefore to assert here with every sense of responsibility that with your resounding successful execution of this project, you have demonstrated your love for our people and created another window for improved economic activities towards wealth creation and poverty reduction,” Hon. Okwechime said, adding that the strategic location of the Onicha-Olona places the town as a transit community and market/commercial hub of its neighbouring communities.  

While pointing out that the modern market beckons on all market men and women within the local government area and beyond, the Council Chairman called on the people to urgently acquire stalls in the market to boost their individual trade.

He said: “It is worthy at this juncture to state that it’s consistent with regular practice and pursuant to Section 7, 4th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which confers maintenance and management of markets to local government, the Aniocha North Local Government in liaison with the Onicha-Olona Development Union has duly initiated the process of allocation of open stalls in the market through open balloting system. We urge all concerned to urgently pick up the interest expression form either from the Office of the President General of the town’s development union or office of the Secretary to the Local Government at Issele-Uku. Moreover, the Local Government is not unaware of the identified need and upgrade to daily market in the near future.”

The Local Government chairman commended the Onicha-Olona Development Union for its impact on the Council’s area over the years through self-help as evidenced in the novel ideas and patriotism per excellence that the current President General is bringing to bear on community service. “His modest effort is inspiring and requires encouragement,” Hon. Okwechime said.

The President General, Onicha-Olona Development Union, Sir Patrick Ejidoh earlier in his welcome address, expressed the community’s gratitude to Major General Raymond and his wife, Doris for the good gesture. He specially singled out Dr. Mrs Doris Amaka Ochei for her interest in the development of the town. “She completed and tarred the road and went ahead to proclaim that the market’s rehabilitation would be completed by Easter,’ Sir Ejidoh said.

The PG recalled that the market was built 20 years ago in 2003 when Mr. Callistus Nwawolor was the local government chairman. “When the market was completed, the road was dilapidated and it discouraged traders from coming because it was a difficult terrain and people could not access the market. The  people resorted to trading at the centre of the road with its attendant risk and danger.”

Ejidoh also announced that the contractors have done a good job, adding that the water system in the market is working and that the conveniences. However, he said although those essential facilities were working but that it is not yet Uhuru because there’s still much to be done. That notwithstanding, he said Effective today, Tuesday, April 11, 2023 that trading activities will commence in the market. He then said that no trader will be found trading along the road anymore.

Ejidoh also announced that there are 460 stalls in the market, and that the former allocations have been revoked because the allocations were lopsided, pointing out to the applause of the people who rose to dance to the cheering news that the N1,000 each for the form has been paid for all the 87 market women by a good Samaritan, Mr. Nelson Nwachi.

Those who are yet to be allocated stalls, Ejidoh announced that allocation would be made to them by ballot, while each form costs a non refundable fee of N1,000 that must be returned within three days. Onicha-Olona market is therefore, opened for everybody beginning Tuesday, April 11, 2023,” the PG said.

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape to inaugurate the market, which was done by the Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon Kevin Okwechime represented by Hon. Kennedy Okoh, Secretary to the Council. Thereafter, the unveiling of the plaque was done by  Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, assisted by the Dr  (Mrs) Ochei, her husband, Major Gen. Ochei and the PG, Mr. Ejidoh. 

Omo Anioma, Obi Dunkwu also performed other traditional rites, praying for the good of the market and dancing while acknowledging cheers from the people.

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) , in Delta State, in the just concluded 2023 general elections, Chief Great Ogboru, Monday, offered reasons why he congratulated Rt. Hon Sherrif Oborevwori, saying he was convinced that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) won the March 18 Governorship Election.

Interacting with newsmen at Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Chief Ogboru, who clocked 65 years old, Monday, April 10th, 2023, described insinuations that he was bought over by the PDP, as false, reiterating that he was one of the few people that could not be induced with money in any cirmcumstance.

In his words; “If anybody was making that insinuation, they are wrong; when we went to the elections, the PDP approached us and as a matter of facts, they came and approached us that we should step down and I said no, it should be the reverse, your candidate should step down and endorse me.

“After few weeks, we met with the state governor and in that meeting we agreed that one of us should win that election and that if Sheriff won, Great Ogboru that win and if Great Ogboru won, it is Sheriff that won.

“So to that extent, l have to congratulate him and be part of the celebration, but in any case it was not pre planned because it was not to be so and without any apology we have to congratulate him because we did not win that election.

“The issues of apathy, violence, voters inducement and intimidation are not issues to be adjudicated upon in the court, these are realities, and if you are not able to change it because the law did not permit you to do so, you must accept the outcome.

“There are no contradictions to the facts that the elections were marred with shortcomings, but it did not take the fact that somebody won the election as it were.We accept that report and we are standing by it.

“I have no words for other constants, they have their own party and l have my own party, the decision we took was not a decision l took by myself but it was after due consultation with members of our cacus, very senior members of our party and it was not a personal decision.

“They would have to come to the conclusion themselves and by the time they realized as l have realized that it is not going to be easy, it is going to be impossible for that matter to prove some of the allegations levied against the election.

“They would come to the inevitable conclusion that they will not question the outcome. In any case, it is a process, let them go to court, they have their grievances, let them go to court and do what they think is the best.

“We stand by our own judgement, confirmation that Sheriff Oborevwori won the election properly.”

-BY SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province Most Reverend Valerian Okeke

charged Inmates of Correctional Center Onitsha to have absolute Faith in God.

The Archbishop gave the charge while delivering a homily at Correctional Center, Onitsha during an Easter Sunday service with the inmates.

He called on the inmates to always have faith in God, stating that with Him, their problems will be solved and charged them to always channel their problems to Him.

Archbishop Okeke described Easter as a celebration of victory and counselled Nigerians to cue into the celebration for a total transformation in all spheres of their lives.

He said nothing is impossible with God, while nothing also happens by accident or mistakes in the affairs of God.

Archbishop Okeke who showered the inmates with various gift items charged them to have faith and be prayerful reminding them that God did not forsake the Israelites when they called on to him while facing imminent danger from the Egyptians who were pursuing them as they approached the Red Sea.

He charged the people to move forward with fidelity, faith and total abandonment to the will of God, noting that with faith one can do greater things.

In his remarks the Chaplain Onitsha Correctional Center, Reverend Father Bath Okpalugo, thanked Archbishop Okeke for his achievements in the facility, especially the ongoing Skill Acquisition Center

Rev. Fr. Okpalugo also extolled Governor Soludo for his giant strides in the State and called for support from Ndi Anambra.

Speaking to our correspondent, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi  Chuma-Ude, said she was privileged to be part of the Mass to identify with the inmates and asked them to believe in God.

The Controller of Correctional Center in Anambra State Mr Patrick Chukwuemeka, who appreciated Archbishop Okeke for remembering them asked God to continue to bless him.

The event attracted some friends of the facility including, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Education Professor Chuma-Ude, member representing Onitsha Constituency Two, Mr Edward Ibuzo, Director Catholic Women’s Organization Onitsha Archdiocese, the Controller Correctional Center in Anambra State Mr Patrick Chukwuemeka, among others.

-By Harrison Akamule:

The Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Youth Development and Research Dr. Davids Akpobokaemi commended the Chairman, Okoloba Federated Community in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State for being thoughtful to have initiated Multipurpose Hall / Skills Acquisition Centre.

Below  were his words. 

In his words “The multipurpose hall/Skills Acquisition Centre is a well idea, it has being in offering for a very long time as rightly said by the Community Chairman . The old hall that is almost falling apart, is a byproduct of cultural Group in Okoloba Community who by virtue of their dancing skills were able to put money together to build it years’ ago. Right from our primary school, the old structure was there , the hall  was existing before we all started our primary, finished and left”

“The hall does not meet the requirements of modern society because population has tripled men women all that, than there is need to have a befitting hall and of course skill acquisition has to come in because of the time that we are because our people actually in need of skills to enhance social economic development “

“This project when completed, first, it will enhance sense of belonging to all Okoloba sons and daughters because this the centre , Oge ground the founder of Okoloba Community, so this is the nucleus of Okoloba therefore, it will afford us coming together all time to have conducive atmosphere to continuously interface on how to forge ahead as a community in terms of our social economic development, cultural heritage to promote it and at course to also articulate political integration in the local government and of course, in the state.So it is a star project and a welcome development”

“I give kudos to the Chairman and his executive to have come up with the project at this critical time, In term of completion, Dr. Davids Akpobokaemi said like it is done in other places, it is not everything that government has to be solely responsible or government must initiate, development can be initiated by people, and government can come in to enhance facilitate, fast track, so for this project, the Community has initiated it, we are hoping, strongly on well meaning sons and daughters of Okoloba Community both those in diaspora would be able to contribute very very effectively in terms  of finance (funding) to assist the Community EXCO in completing the project, and also looking forward to assistance that can come from critical stakeholders in political super space and of course, if government comes in at the critical juncture, it will also seriously enhance the funding. Those critical areas  are open which the Community is hoping on to complete it within record time”

“He thanked the Community chairman for his focus and purposeful leadership, because the project has been in the drawing board for longtime, but in his time as chairman, he has being able to start it and made it a tangible thing that everyone can see. He advised him to keep up the pace , he should  not lose focus and not be discouraged. Starting a project is very demanding because of funds and other things but since he has started a good job, he can be assured that the Community is going to be behind him. The necessary funding and other assistance he need would be given to him ” Dr. Akpobokaemi the Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Youth Development and Research said.

Earlier, the Okoloba Federated Community Chairman, Mr Ebiboloemi Bidi took the Delta State Governor’s Aide round the Multipurpose Hall / Skills Acquisition and gave reason why he has to start the project at this critical time.

In his words “I am building the multipurpose Hall/ Skill Acquisition Centre in order to meet the modern needs  of the society such as library, promotion of our cultural heritage etc. according to him the over 50 years  building that was used as town hall, was owned by cultural Group existed years’ ago does not befitting hence we are putting on this structure which is going to cost the Community about fifty million naira (#50, 000, 000).”

“He said it is the responsibility of all sons and daughters of the Community, he noted that starting is a project good, but completing it is most important and fulfilling “Says Ebiboleami Bidi, Okoloba Federated Community Chairman.

By Austen Akhagbeme:

There’s no denying the fact that Edo State is in dire need of purposeful and people-oriented governance, devoid of intra and inter-party crises that distract and takes the government far away from the people.

The Politics of Vendetta, ego and acrimony that Edo state has become in the past seven years needs to give way to purposefulness and peace that breeds development in the state.

It is against this backdrop that all hands must be on deck to support a trusted and tested personality whose vision is to ensure the general good and welfare of the greatest number of Edo state’s already pauperised citizens, seething with discontent.

Dr Azemhe Azena, a well-known philanthropist, clergyman and youth-centric advocate, is offering to provide the “missing link” that will endear governance to the good people of Edo State under the platform of the Labour Party.

Here’s a man that exudes passion for service with intentional goals to turn the state around in all its ramifications. Having lived and schooled in Edo for all his adult life, Dr Azemhe understands the needs of the common people vis-a-vis the hypocrisy of the government’s vain promises to ameliorate them.

Talking with Dr Azemhe gives you an overwhelming impression of a rebel with a cause, seeking an opportunity to unleash his developmental ideas in building a robust agricultural sector by taking advantage of the vast natural opportunities of arable land that favours the cultivation of certain crops on which we have a comparative advantage as a state, on a commercial level.

His vast knowledge and experience in youth development and empowerment over the years within and outside the state put him on a higher pedestal to deploy such passion and experience to develop the people through the instrumentality of the state on a larger scale when given the opportunity.

The deplorable state of health care in Edo state did not escape his prying eyes. His observation through personal research shows the lack of medical personnel in our hospitals and an unbelievable Doctor-to patient-ratio, especially in Edo North, where he hails from.

This is the time for a political rebirth and sober introspection in the management of our political affairs and governance in Edo state. We can not afford to hand it over again to those whose stock in trade is to divide the citizenry while weaponizing governance to underdevelop the state.

This is why we zoom in on Azemhe to come to our rescue in Edo state, under the platform of the Labour Party ( LP) in 2024. May the will of the people prevail.

• Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

The newly inaugurated Environmental Health Council’s (EHCON) Chairman Honorable Tonye Longjohn has advised the management and staff of the Council to be more dedicated to their duty, insisting that the days of truancy by staff are over.

Longjohn made this assertion in his first address with the top management and staff of the Council after the inauguration of the board of agencies under the Ministry of Environment by the Minister, Mohammed Abdullahi. Also in attendance were the other members of the Board at the Council’s office in Abuja.

According to the Chairman, “Mr. President would not be happy with us if he finds out that we are defaulting on discharging our duties, that would not be nice,” adding that “there would not be room for truancy, please , if you have subordinates that are truants, please tell them that the days of truancy are gone.”

The EHCON Chairman, however assured the staff that they were not there to disturb anyone from carrying out his/her work because, they are all brothers and sisters. He informed the staff that whatever benefit is due to them, shall be made available to them as at when due, either promotion or welfare.

On his part, the Registrar EHCON, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba who was represented by his Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and a Director, Registration, Ethics and Standard in the agency Dr. Isah Adamu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a board for the Council after many years, he however, went back to memory lane on numerous achievements the Council had recorded since the appointment of the Registrar, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba two years ago.

Speaking further, Adamu said that the Council was established in 2002 by an Act of Parliament and was known and called Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) but now that the Act has been amended by Mr. President, the Council is now known and addressed as the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON).

He explained that the practice of EHCON is segmented into two, one is for individual practitioners and the other is the companies’ service providers, adding that, the sanitary inspection of Premises, Cleaning Services, Public health officers and sewage collection, the Council ensures Registration and Regulations are done in administrative way at the headquarters.

Adamu however, on behalf of the Council promised the Chairman and other members of the Board that the Council is ready to give full support and maximum cooperation to the Board in order to discharge their duties creditably.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at working jointly at tackling the menace of drug trafficking in the country.

The MoU aimed at sharing information and strategies that would further strengthen the ongoing war on drug trafficking in the country.

The MoU was signed at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) and the Comptroller General of NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (Retd).

In his speech during the signing, Marwa that with the MoU, the two organisations would collaborate at inflicting maximum loss on drug cartels bent on trafficking illicit substances at the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Marwa expressed his delight at the decision by the two government agencies to document their working relationship in an MoU, even as he listed the huge benefits of such to the country.

He specifically commended Col. Ali for his excellent record of performance as Customs CG and his past years of public service in the Nigerian army especially as military governor of Kaduna state. He said: “I have always known Col. Ali as a patriotic, hardworking and disciplined officer with excellent track record of achievements.”

He added that the MoU is “certainly a benchmark for information and or intelligence sharing. It is also a platform for sharing of operational and administrative experiences with a view to adopting best practices that work. With this united front, there can only be one assurance that the criminal elements in our society will definitely be the losers and I assure you that they will certainly lose big as we come for them to put them where they rightly belong and cripple their crime syndicates.

“While there is no doubt as to the benefits that this MoU will provide to our two services and the nation at large, it is my hope that its successful execution and implementation will provide the necessary impetus for extension to other sister law enforcement agencies (LEAs) operating at our airports, seaports and land borders. On this basis, it is imperative to drive the implementation of the MoU to ensure that its objectives and derivable are achieved.

“Therefore, on behalf of the NDLEA, I assure you of our commitment to this MoU and intend to provide all the necessary support required to drive the implementation process in order to ensure the realization of all accruable benefits. As it is usually said, together we stand and remain undefeatable.”

Marwa while stating the great significance of the MoU, said the document contains a number of innovations that will encourage interpersonal relationship amongst the rank and file as well as at the various levels of command and administration of the two organisations. “It provides for joint training of personnel just as it makes provisions for regular meetings of command officers at various levels of our command structures. These are the meetings of Commanders/Comptrollers of the various relevant formations, at the relevant directorates/departments of the national headquarters and at the highest level of policy making between the Comptroller-General of Customs and my office, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, which is expected to take place at least twice a year.

“The expected outcome of these series of interactions is to foster better understanding of the respective roles and mandates of our two organisations and how they complement one another in a mutually inclusive way. The ultimate objective is to dissolve suspicion, friction and general interagency rivalry that does not do our nation any good in terms of effectively securing the entry and exit points of our dear country. This will provide an effective defence line at our various ports of entry/exit to prevent the influx of offensive materials and substances that undermine our national security, and ensure that our national assets are not smuggled out to undermine our economic progress and stability.”

In his remarks, the Customs boss commended Marwa for initiating the MoU. He said: “This MOU is sending a very strong signal to fighting crime. We believe that coming together shows commitment to saving this nation from drugs and other substances. I want to take this special opportunity to thank my senior for initiating this MOU. I must say something, he is a very committed person. It is not new to us in the uniform to see his strides, for those who have had the opportunity to serve with him. He is a game player and a game changer. When my attention was drawn to this initiative, I knew this was the Marwa trend. I thank him for initiating this event, and creating an avenue for us to synergize and come up with a veritable way for fighting drug abuse in this nation.

“The essence of our being here has been underscored by my brother, but I want to reiterate that our coming together does not send a signal only to our nation but to the international partners, that we are committed to protecting our borders from illicit drugs. We have all along been doing this, finding drugs in the borders, but thank God the sole responsibility has been removed from us, and we had some relief. What we do now is that when we arrest the suspects, we hand them over to the NDLEA, where they will be pursued, investigated, and punished severely. The coming of Marwa has given us confidence that the suspects will be handled accordingly.”

He expressed the commitment of the Nigerian Customs Service to the implementation of the MoU, stating that: “We are indeed very grateful, to have been incorporated in this your thought and want to assure that the entire Customs will be behind this MOU. I want to believe that collaboration will make impact in reducing to the barest minimum the drug menace.”
He said both NDLEA and the Customs must invest in technology to fight the drug menace.”

He added that: “Both of us must ensure we deploy technology as we go into this commitment, to fighting the drug menace. It is the key to success, as methods of concealment are numerous, with other illicit drugs put in pockets, shoes, and edible foods.”

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated British-Nigerian former World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (AJ) for getting his mojo back by defeating American Jermaine Franklin on Saturday.after successive lost.

Dabiri-Erewa, in a signed statement on Sunday by one of the officials of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of NIDCOM, Gabriel Odu, expressed joy over the boxing exploits of the two-time World heavyweight champion as he made a victorious comeback to the global boxing books by defeating the American.

Dabiri-Erewa, while describing AJ’s win as a “never- say-never, the I-can-do-spirit of Nigerians anywhere in the world,” added that AJ is a true ambassador at large, making Nigeria super proud and projecting the good image of Nigerians globally.

This is Joshua’s first victory since 2020 after he successively suffered defeats from Oleksandr Usyk.

The 33-year old former World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, on saturday, returned to the boxing stage with a unanimous points-decision over Jermaine Franklin with the three judges giving the fight to on 118-111, 117-111, 117-111, at London 02 Arena, Saturday.

-BY ONORIODE ETATSEMI:

Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Isaiah Bozimo has said that the State Government through the Ministry of Justice and taskforce on human trafficking and irregular migration will always embrace holistic approach towards collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enhance the safety and security of Deltans.

Bozimo stated this in his office in Asaba when he played host to the Programme Manager, DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development, Mr. Emmanuel Ibiabo and his team who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that the State taskforce on human trafficking and irregular migration had continued to interface with stakeholders on critical areas of support such as integration, awareness raise and shelter initiatives for victims of human trafficking in the state.

Bozimo,who stressed the importance of the ease of reporting cases of human trafficking in order to ensure rapid response mechanism in tackling the issue, said that the the taskforce was keen in ensuring that indigenes of the state were aware of the dangers associated with human trafficking.

The AG said that the initiative of DEVATOP was in line with what the taskforce was doing in the state, adding that the taskforce was established in the state by Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

He explained that since inception, the taskforce had played proactive role in combating human trafficking and irregular migration with robust synergy with domestic and international partners such as NAPTIP and now DEVATOP.

Earlier, the Programme Manager, DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development, Mr. Emmanuel Ibiabo told the Attorney-General that his team was in his office to seek Ministry’s and the taskforce on human trafficking and irregular migration partnership in fighting human trafficking.

He stated that DEVATOP had four objectives such as increasing awareness of issues of trafficking in communities, enhance psychosocial support for the team of trafficking in the area of training and promoting multi sectoral engagement between governments and CSOs and private sector.

Mr. Ibiabo, who said that Delta State was among the three states including Enugu and Sokoto where their activities would take place, listed some of the activities to include talk and act and grading of existing application.

He said that the collaboration would cenre on human trafficking, rapid response to cases of trafficking, investigation and prosecution, protection and shelter and integration of victims of human trafficking.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of some documents /flyers with the inscriptions, abeg no de ignore human trafficking, if you see human trafficking talkam and human trafficking violates human rights , stop it .

-By Austen Akhagbeme:

It shook the world that after all the good, the bad and the ugliest of machinations associated with the just concluded general elections in Nigeria, there was no post-election violence.

Not when the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections degenerated into bigotry and ethnicisation of emotions, actions and intentions on a dangerous scale, especially in Lagos where opinionatedness was walking on all fours.

This was because those who were declared “losers” and their followers chose the way of peace, patience and legality to get redressment. It becomes a laughable paradox that those who were adjudged to have “won” the election are the ones threatening and overheating the system by insinuating the abstract and the idealised as real and the ugly as possible.

They are willfully creating a pitiable scenario where predators are erroneously mistaken for victims and vice-versa. It is akin to a situation where the farm owner can be accused of being the thief when he is too hesitant to call the actual thief a thief.

Why would the winner of any fairly contested slugfest be afraid of the plans and plots of the losers, especially when the winner is in maximum control of the apparachik that determines who gets what when and how?

Then it becomes a matter of a cleaner conscience that fears no accusation versus that of a pyrrhic victor troubled by his many shenanigans. Those who insist that the armed are less dangerous than the unarmed are deceptive and are, therefore, the true enemies of peace. They should be ignored in totality and not be seen to have been sided by the state.

• Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

The United Nations has lamented the lack of funding for many indigent and deprived persons affected by the protracted Boko Haram crisis in the Northeast.

A statement on Friday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) read that in 2023, aid agencies have received only eight per cent of the US$ 1.3 billion required to reach 6 million people identified for emergency assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, in the statement, said: “I urge donors, the private sector, and other well-wishers to urgently provide additional funding and resources to enable national and international humanitarian organisations working with government to act early and at scale to deliver assistance to save lives, improve living conditions and protect those most in need ahead of the lean season.”

Schmale said: “I am alarmed by the impact that continued conflict is having on vulnerable people, in particular on children, in north-east Nigeria.

“Yesterday, I visited El-Miskin Camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, where approximately 7,200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought safety. The food situation is severe for many families in the camp due to lack of funding for operations. Women told me that they had not received food assistance in more than three months and they are struggling to feed their families.

“Some children described going for several days without eating enough. Mothers were telling me that their children go to bed crying from hunger. In the Outpatient Therapeutic Feeding Program, they were also telling me that they are already seeing dozens of admissions of children with acute malnutrition. This is unacceptable.”

He noted that: “The people I met in El-Miskin are among an estimated 4.4 million people who will need sustained emergency food assistance this lean season (the peak hunger period between planting and harvesting from June to August) in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé food and nutrition analysis.

“Partners I met with are ringing the alarm bells, months ahead of the lean season as worryingly malnutrition figures are starting to increase. Severe acute malnutrition is expected to double compared to last year, affecting some 690,000 children. Government and the humanitarian community must redouble efforts to prevent this from happening.

“Financial resources are needed now to take the necessary action to save their lives. Without assistance, cases of life threatening severe acute malnutrition will increase, and more people will resort to negative coping mechanisms such as begging, survival sex and child labour to survive.”

Schmale said: “In El-Miskin Camp, I was also saddened to see so many children out of school. Over 4,000 school-age children in the camp have not been able to go to school in years. Only one of the 17 women I met in the camp could read or write. We must not let this generation, a generation affected by war and deprivation, be a lost generation. The children I met wanted to be doctors and teachers, jobs that Nigeria urgently needs to fill and bring stability and prosperity to the north-east. We must strengthen our efforts to support the authorities in providing all children with access to education. They will otherwise be deprived of a better future and will never be able to realise their potential, their dreams and aspirations.”

The Medical Director of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu, Dr. Baba Waru Goni has said that the Nigerian Military exhibits a high sense of responsibility and professionalism even in the face of provocation by the insurgents and that the report of violation of human rights against them by Reuters should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Goni, while stating that he does not believe in the report by the foreign media organisation while testifying before the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operation in The North East.

At the hearing on Friday at the teaching hospital, Goni said the Nigerian Military has supported the return of peace in the North East and it could not have been possible for them to indulge in such alleged heinous abortion of 10,000 pregnancies.

When asked by the general counsel of the Panel, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna if bad elements in the army can partake in such acts of 10,000 abortions, the Medical Director said in any organisation there could be bad elements but insisted that he has not received any report of abortion of pregnancies by the Military from anyone since his years of practice at the hospital till date.

He said: “I am not holding brief for the Nigerian Army, but I think they are highly professional and responsible and they also have their rules of engagement, to say they can commit such a crime is surprising to me”

Goni who has been in medical practice for over 25 years with numerous qualifications said, the Nigerian Military has reunited countless repentant Boko Haram fighters with members of their communities.

He recalled that even though the Military brings into the hospital numerous cases that require medical attention, especially during the peak of insurgency, Dr. Goni said “most of the cases we receive are casualties and that they are mostly men from the battlefields that insurgents attacked, I cannot remember any case of abortion recorded among the cases we receive from the Military”

Similarly, the Medical Director of Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Aisha Adamu Buba testified before the 7-man panel of experts who were on a fact-finding mission to the medical facility. Dr. Buba who expressed surprise at the magnitude of the alleged abortion said the hospital does not have anything to do with the Military as far as the abortion of 10,000 pregnancies was concerned.

She said contrary to the Reuters report, all the medical abortions conducted in the hospital are carried out legally for married women who develop one complication or the other during pregnancy.

Testifying further, Dr. Buba said the hospital keeps records of patients who have undergone medical abortions, adding that the patient’s personal information and details are all there in their records.
Other key officials, in both hospitals visited, were also made to testify.

The war against cyber crimes in the country gets a boost as the Brighter Futures programme, an initiative supported by the United Kingdom government has launched the Thrive Online campaign.

The initiative, apart from the launch of efforts to curb the rising tide of cyber-related crimes in Nigeria, also launched the Cancel Cultist campaign aimed at reducing cultism and other forms of serious organized crime in Nigeria.

According to a statement on Friday, the Thrive Online campaign aims to reach vulnerable youths and educate them on the dangers of cybercrime while providing alternative pathways to building sustainable livelihoods.

The statement read that while speaking about the campaign during a radio programme in Lagos State, Mr. Oladokun Olajde, a mentorship coach on the campaign stated that Thrive Online is a sustainable development campaign that addresses legitimate ways for youths to be financially independent, and the dangers of serious and organized crimes to themselves, their families, community and the image of the Country.

“We enlighten youths on their roles and responsibilities as citizens in making Nigeria a better place to thrive – both online and globally”, he was quoted saying in a statement issued by the management team of the campaign on Friday.

Over the past decades, serious organized crime (SOC), particularly cybercrime, has caused significant damage to individuals, families, and businesses in Nigeria. The impact of cybercrime can be seen in the data that reveals the devastating consequences it has caused.

According to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigerian banks lost N3.5 billion between July and September 2020 to fraud-related incidents, representing a 534-percent increase from the same period in 2019, when it was N552 million.

As part of efforts to reduce SOC activities, the Nigerian government and several organizations have implemented various measures, including the Brighter Futures campaign, to mitigate the tide of cyber-related crimes in the digital space. The Thrive Online campaign aims to complement these efforts by reaching vulnerable youths through a series of awareness events, radio talk shows, school mentorship programs, and community-based and social media influencers.

The primary aim of the Thrive Online campaign is to educate youths on the fact that hardly anyone makes a decent living through cybercrime. Most people waste their time and get nothing in return. Involvement in cybercrime is a criminal offense that can have severe consequences, including imprisonment. Additionally, involvement in cybercrimes can destroy the lives of people affected, including their family members, loved ones, and friends.

The campaign also seeks to highlight the positive ways youths can build a livelihood using online platforms, such as online businesses, learning new skills, and legitimate online-based jobs in tech.

The Brighter Futures campaign management says it is working with the Nigerian government and other civil society organizations to create a safer and more prosperous future for Nigeria.

In the same vein, noted that the Cancel Cults campaign launched in Bayelsa State would primarily focus on vulnerable youths and educate them on the dangers of cultism and provide alternative pathways to build sustainable livelihoods.

It noted that cultism and other forms of serious organized crime have been a significant challenge in Nigeria.

No fewer than 10,000 people have been killed in cult-related violence within and outside school campuses between 1996 and 2019, according to Exams Ethic Marshall International (EEMI).

The Cancel Cults campaign is adopting various strategies to reach vulnerable youths in Bayelsa State, including radio talk shows, awareness events, engagements in schools and communities, and social media influencers, the management stated.

The campaign will also introduce school mentorship programs and sports to sensitize vulnerable youths to the dangers of cybercrime to their communities.

Speaking about the campaign in Bayelsa State, Mr. Emmanuel Diala, a community-awareness facilitator on the Cancel Cults campaign stated, “The Cancel Cults campaign is designed to create an environment where youths can thrive through legitimate means.

“We believe that by educating young people on the dangers of cultism and other serious organized crimes (SOCs) and putting them on the right track in building sustainable livelihoods, we can reduce their involvement in cultism.”

The campaign is working with the government and other Civil Society Organizations to create an environment where youths can thrive through legitimate means. It encourages young people to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them and avoid the trap of cultism and other criminal activities.

Speaking about the impact of the campaign in Edo State, Mr. Odili Adams, a member from one of the target communities of the Cancel Cults campaign stated, “For too long, we have feared that one day our children and young adults would fall victim to the lies of cultists and end up wasting their lives, after all, there is a limit to how much we parents can monitor our children, however, this campaign will augment the efforts made to protect our youths from cultist’s narratives and build their resilience to become valuable members of the community.”

The management team reiterated that the launch of the Cancel Cults campaign in Edo State is a step in the right direction towards curbing cultism and other forms of serious organized crime in Nigeria, saying it will enlighten young people in Edo and Bayelsa State to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities through legitimate means.

The Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with financial support from Italy have commissioned a new evidence storage facility in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to boost the ongoing war on terrorism.

A press statement by the UNODC office in Nigeria on Friday read: “Earlier today, the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) held an event to commission a new evidence storage facility at the JIC in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“Through the generous financial support of the Republic of Italy, this infrastructure investment is a significant contribution to enhancing the JIC’s capacity to collect and preserve evidence recovered from terrorist incidents, thereby strengthening rule of law-based and human rights-compliant criminal justice measures against terrorism and violent extremism in the region.”

The statement added that with the support of the one-year “Project to Strengthen the Capacity of the Joint Investigation Center in Maiduguri to Collect Evidence and Bring Terrorist to Justice with the Respect for the Rule of Law”, funded by the Republic of Italy and implemented by UNODC, the secure evidence storage facility constructed at the JIC will enable the Centre – a multi-agency hub comprised of military, security and law enforcement officers – to preserve, exploit and handle evidential material in a manner that allows for its forensic examination and effective presentation in court.

According to the statement, in addition to the refurbishment of the JIC’s secure evidence facility, the project has further supported the mentoring, procurement of equipment and development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the effective collection, processing, storage and retrieval of physical evidence.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by high-level VIPs including the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale; Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Tarek Chazli; Deputy Theatre Commander, Major General KA Isoni; and UNODC Country Representative for Nigeria, Mr. Oliver Stolpe.

In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative for Nigeria, Mr. Stolpe, emphasized that “this new facility, thanks to the generous funding by the Government of Italy, will provide the JIC with a critical resource to further enhance its capability to store and retrieve evidence. This ultimately will help the criminal justice system to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence, committed by Boko Haram over the course of the past 15 years.”

Representing the Embassy of Italy, Mr. Tarek Chazli, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, highlighted that “the tide is turning in the North East. This infrastructural investment in the JIC will help to accelerate the course of justice, and in doing so, help the process of peace in Borno State”.

Commander of the Joint Investigation Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Ahmed, noted that “the significance of this facility cannot be over-emphasised considering the significance of evidence to the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria. This facility will greatly enhance our evidence storage capacity thereby contributing to the success of the overall mandate of the Centre.”

Osun State Government has launched the HIV Treatment Surge Initiative, through collaboration with the United States’ President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC).

Speaking at the launch event, U.S. CDC Country Director Mary Boyd emphasized that Surge efforts in health facilities and with communities were not business as usual for the state’s HIV programme, but rather intensified and innovative approaches and partnerships to increase the number of people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment.

She said, “a lot of hard work will be needed to reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal (having 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those people on antiretrovirals (ART), and 95% of those on ART reaching viral suppression), but with the support of the Government of Osun, communities, and partners, I have no doubt this Surge will propel the state to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat and thereby save many lives.”

According to a statement on Friday from the US Embassy, currently, Osun State has almost 30,000 people estimated to be living with HIV, 13,500 of which are yet to be identified and placed on treatment. Through intensified and innovative strategies, the HIV Treatment Surge aims to quickly close this gap and achieve treatment saturation. The Surge also aims to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies and enhance adolescent and key populations services, thereby ensuring an AIDS-free generation.

Speaking with the Osun State Governor before the event, U.S. Consul General, Will Stevens highlighted the need for equitable access to HIV services across the state. He said: “We must ensure we reach the most vulnerable populations, like women, adolescents, and children, with testing and treatment. We must also ensure equitable access to care for key and hard-reach populations.”

The Osun State HIV Treatment Surge is one of many that have taken place in states since 2019. The Surges have identified and placed hundreds of thousands of people on life-saving treatment across the country, a remarkable accomplishment that is even more notable for its obtainment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of March 2023, 1.8 million Nigerians are receiving HIV treatments via PEPFAR as the country moves closer to its goal of reaching HIV epidemic control.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has said he does not have the luxury to waste time, insisting that all that he is left with is the commitment to work round the clock for another four years for his people.

The governor made his commitment known on Thursday while receiving his Certificate of Return as the elected governor of the state for a second term at the Borno State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Maiduguri.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States, Major General Madibbo Alkali (rtd), made the presentation on behalf of INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Muhammad.

In his remarks, Zulum said he will have no time to waste as he was continuing work.

He noted that his programmes and policies in second term will remain focused on security, health, education, agriculture and food security, job creation, youth and women empowerment, urban renewal, flood prevention, rehabilitation and resettlement.

He said: “I want to assure the people of Borno State that insha Allah we will not relent in our efforts to reposition Borno State to greater heights. I will commit to making sure that insha’Allah, we will work 100% for the benefit of the citizens of Borno State.”

Zulum while expressing gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting him during his first term of office, described him as his greatest pillar.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued support to my administration. Our situation couldn’t have been like this without his support.”

The governor also appreciates the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, who happened to be his predecessor in office and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for supporting him.

Zulum also expressed appreciation to the state chapter of the APC led by Ali Bukar Dalori for its unflinching support in the last three and half years.

Also presented with Certificate of Return aside Zulum are the 25 members-elect of the Borno State House of Assembly who were given their certificates of return.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Borno State, Ibrahim Magaji, presented them the certificates.

The deputy governor, Usman Kadafur and three members of the House of Assembly have to collect their when they return back to the country as they are presently abroad.

Minister of Environment, Mr. Muhammed Abdullahi has called on all stakeholders in the environment sector to work at ensuring desirable and sustainable environment for Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Boards of the various Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of the Ministry, Abdullahi said it is important for every stakeholders work with the new boards and their members to achieve the environmental plan of the country.

He said: “I call on every individual either as member or representative of another MDA on the Boards to bring to bear their experiences in taking critical decisions especially, as they have to do with the overall mandate of the Ministry.

“Let me emphasize that the role of the Governing Boards is to drive general policy formulation for the implementation of the Management Teams of these Agencies. The general principle is that Board Members are not involved in the day-to-day running of the Agencies, except for Chairmen and Members who are statutorily saddled with executive functions.

“At this juncture, your synergy and cooperation especially with those saddled with day to day running of these Agencies and institutions cannot be over emphasized. Let me seize this opportunity to call on all stakeholders in the environment sector to work with this newly inaugurated Board to ensure a desirable and sustainable environment for Nigeria. It is important to note that Nigeria’s position on sustainable environment at the international and local levels has been applauded and it is our vision to carry out the National Agenda in tandem with the SDGs so as to lead the country to the path of Green Growth and sustainable development.”

He reminded the newly inaugurated members of the boards that: “As we are aware, the Federal Ministry of Environment was established with a vision to ensure that Nigeria, as a country, develops in harmony with her environment and mission to ensure environmental protection and natural resources conservation for sustainable development.

“Based on these two pillars, the Ministry has the mandate to secure a quality environment conducive for good health and wellbeing of citizens; promote sustainable use of natural resources, restore and maintain the ecosystem and preserve biodiversity.”

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated members of the boards, the Emir of Keffi and the Chairman of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, said: “I want to thank Mr. President for finding me worthy of this appointment. I don’t take this for granted.

“May I be able to discharge
my duties to the best of my abilities. I wish to thank the Honourable Minister for Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi for the support he has given us all through the years.”

He added that: “I promise you that together we shall see the light at the end of it all.”