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Brazil: 13 killed in clashes with police

Zainab Sa'id
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At least 13 people were killed in clashes with police outside Brazil’s seaside city of Rio de Janeiro after a raid to arrest a gang leader.

The clashes took place in the working-class Salgueiro neighbourhood in the city of Sao Goncalo, northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second-largest city.

The raid on Thursday sought to arrest Leonardo Costa Araujo in an operation that also employed helicopters and armoured vehicles, according to police.

Also Read: Brazil Supreme Court Includes Jair Bolsonaro in Riot Probe

Araujo, accused of being a drug gang leader from the northern state of Para, is among the dead.

He was implicated in the death of several police officers in Para in recent years and police believed he was hiding in the area.

According to the police, those killed were all suspected criminals.

Rio state police forces regularly carry out deadly raids in the metro area’s sprawling slums.

“We will not allow Rio to be used as a hideout for bandits from other states,” Governor Claudio Castro of Rio de Janiero state wrote in a post on social media.

Three local residents with no suspected criminal connections were also shot and injured during the clashes, the police added.

 

Zainab Sa’id

Ministry Inaugurates National Livestock Breed Improvement Programme in Osun State

Foluke Ibitomi
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As part of efforts to improve indigenous cattle breeds for dairy production, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through its Department of Animal Husbandry Services in conjunction with Real People Concept Limited, has inaugurated the national livestock breed improvement programme in Osun State,Nigeria.

The present development which was said to be ongoing in some other states of the federation is targeted at improving indigenous cattle breeds for dairy production. The programme was held last year in Oyo, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina and Taraba States.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony held for the project in Osun State at Makaiza Farms, Iwoye-Ijesha, consultant for the project, an animal scientist and Managing Director, Real People Concept Limited, Mr Tunmise Olagbaju, noted that: “The programme is actually to improve our indigenous cattle breeds for dairy production and this involves artificial insemination with exotic dairy breeds to our indigenous cows so that the offsprings they produce will produce more milk so that is the essence of the programme”.

“The main target is to increase milk production of the indigenous cows to livestock farmers. And when the cattle produce more milk, it means more income for the farmers. Farmers can have more revenue for their labour. Instead of producing two litres of milk per day, they can produce between eight and fifteen litres of milk per cow per day. That is an elevation in their revenue and that will enhance productivity and profitability.”

Olagbaju stated that,“It is important for farmers to participate in the programme so that they can also benefit. The insemination is going to be done with sex semen because we are focusing on dairy, so it is sex specific that means that more than 95 percent of all the offsprings will be female. There is a possibility of male but it should not be more than five percent. All the offspring we are expecting from the programme will be female.”

While commenting on the breed improvement methods adopted for the programme, Olagbaju listed the introduction of exotic genetics which the government is doing and selection.

We have not done anything on selection, even this artificial insemination the government is doing, there is no plan for selection. I am aware that there is a national livestock identification and traceability programme that is ongoing. I do not know how far it has gone.

“There is a need for us to have a programme where we can monitor the development of these animals. There must be a way to follow them up, to select the highly performing ones. This will help us to be able to identify the next generation of cattle that are highly performing.”

On his part, the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Osun State, Mr Sunday Atoyebi, called on cattle farmers and other stakeholders in the state to support the programme and key into it by promoting the programme among themselves.

He noted that:“All hands must be on deck so that this programme can boost meat production in the state and bring about economic growth and development of Nigeria. I want to also use this very special moment to thank Makaiza Farm Limited for their efforts in nation building through agriculture and provision of job opportunities for the youth”.

Farm Manager, Makaiza Farms Limited, Mr Abayomi Agunbiade, thanked the Federal Government for initiating the national breed improvement programme, while assuring the government of maximum cooperation to ensure the success of the programme.

Agro Nigeria / F.I

Philippines, China to peacefully resolve maritime differences 

Zainab Sa'id
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The Philippines and China have pledged to use diplomacy to resolve differences in maritime issues between both nations.

“Both our countries’ leaders agreed that maritime issues should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue and never through coercion and intimidation,” Philippine foreign ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro said at the opening of bilateral talks on the South China Sea.

This week, the Philippines hosted the first in-person meeting between diplomats from the countries since before the COVID-19 pandemic, amid a flare-up in tensions over what Manila described as China’s “aggressive activities” in the South China Sea.

The discussions come two months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s state visit to China, where President Xi Jinping said he was ready to manage maritime issues “cordially” with Manila.

“Maritime issues are an important part of China-Philippines relations that should not be ignored,” China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said.

“In the past years, through friendly dialogue and consultations, the two countries have generally managed and effectively dealt with our differences on maritime issues. And we have also advanced our practical cooperation and our mutual trust,” added Sun, who is on a three-day visit to Manila.

Also Read: Philippines tells China to quit after South China Sea clash

Maritime differences with Beijing are a “serious concern” but could be resolved through the “exhaustion of all diplomatic means”, Lazaro said.

Beijing, which claims large parts of the South China Sea, including some areas in Philippine waters, has expressed concern over an increasing U.S. military presence in its neighbour, accusing Washington of increasing regional tensions.

Last month, Marcos granted the United States expanded access to military bases, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards self-ruled Taiwan.

The agreement has been seen as a sign of a rekindling of ties between Manila and its former colonial master, which soured under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos, the son of the late strongman whom Washington helped flee into exile during a 1986 “people power” uprising, has repeatedly said he could not see a future for his country without the United States.

Last month, the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of using a laser against one of its vessels supporting a resupply mission for troops in the disputed Spratly islands. Marcos later summoned the Chinese ambassador to relay his concern over the intensity and frequency of China’s activities in the area.

 

Zainab Sa’id

U.S, Canada reach deal on asylum seekers

Zainab Sa'id
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The United States and Canada have reached a deal aimed at stopping asylum seekers from entering the shared land border via unofficial crossings.

As part of the agreement, Canada will take in a additional 15,000 migrants over the next year on a humanitarian basis from the Western Hemisphere, a U.S. official said.

Border crossings between the two countries are governed by the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) which allows U.S. and Canadian officials to turn back asylum seekers in both directions at formal ports of entry, but does not apply to unofficial crossings like Quebec’s Roxham Road.

Canada has been pushing the United States to extend the deal for a while. In recent months, there has been a sharp increase in asylum seekers entering Canada through unofficial border crossings.

U.S. and Canada share the longest land border in North America and the new agreement would expand the pact so that it applies to the entire length and asylum seekers apprehended using unofficial crossings will be turned back.

The revised STCA will be discussed on Friday at an official face-to-face between U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa.

Also Read: Canada’s Population Growth Surpasses 1 million

Trudeau has been under pressure to stop the flow of asylum seekers in Quebec, the mainly French-speaking province where he holds his parliamentary seat.

Biden arrived in Canada on Thursday on his long-delayed visit to express unity on Ukraine, and will address Parliament on Friday with Trudeau.

Roxham Road, a dirt path that has become a route of choice for asylum-seekers, made international headlines in 2017 soon after former U.S. President Donald Trump started to crack down on illegal migrants, resulting in a huge inflow of asylum seekers into Canada.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Trudeau said the U.S. and Canadian governments had been working to resolve the “complex” issue of irregular border crossings for many months and that he hoped to make an announcement about it soon.

 

Zainab Sa’id

NGO commissions toilet facility in schools to end open defecation

Foluke Ibitomi
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By Hikmat Bamigboye, Abuja

In commemoration of the 2023 World Water Day, a Non-Governmental Organization has commissioned a 12 unit, three-block toilet facility, and three-block classroom for Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa, to end open defecation, saying it is a clarion call for other NGOs to participate in nation building.

The Project Director of Sam Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Kiema Ogunlana made the call in Abuja at the commemoration ceremony of World Water Day, and commissioning of the projects, adding that NGOs need to work hand in hand with the government.

Mrs Ogunlana emphasizes that the government cannot do everything for the masses, comparing the statistics of billions in Nigeria with the current budget, “how much money to go around all the basic amenities we need in our schools”.

“This sanitation facility is our latest project and we’re still going to do more. For this year, we commissioned this particular facility to commemorate the world Water Day, which has the theme Accelerating Change”. Ogunlana said

“That’s why we want government support, partners with government agencies and other NGOs also do things like this because it takes nothing to put a smile on children’s faces”.she added

We believe that we have to reach out to replicate the change we want to see because we believe that change begins for you.

She lamented that before now, students indulged in open defecation, adding that the facilities will help girl children not to be absent from school because of their period, and also students going into the push to change and defecate.

Mrs. Ogunlana revealed that through their development partners and the government intervention they were able to accomplish the projects.

The principal of Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Mrs. Zaniab Hassan, Commended the project organized, saying that she was so excited, remembering the first time the Sef Director came to the school.

She revealed that the students are overwhelmed, saying that this will help the girl child to stay in the school comfortably and learn.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo breaks men’s international cap record

Mosunmola Ore
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Cristiano Ronaldo broke the all-time record for men’s international caps with his 197th appearance for Portugal in its Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Ronaldo makes debut as Al-Nassr defeat Ettifaq 1-0

Bader Al-Mutawa previously held the record with 196 international appearances for Kuwait. Ronaldo tied the record at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and then broke it on Thursday.

In addition to holding the all-time record for men’s international caps, Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals scored in senior international play (118) and most consecutive senior international seasons scoring a goal (22). In total, Ronaldo has scored 830 goals for club and country, which is the all-time record.

Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Stakeholders Advocate Upward Review of Agric Budget, Improved Utilization

Foluke Ibitomi
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Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have said the national budget allocated to agriculture is relatively low compared to its value addition capacity, and have called on the federal government for an increase in a view to achieve desired growth and productivity in the sector.

The call was made,during a virtual meeting programme for agric and agro-allied committee, organized by the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, themed: “Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector Allocation Relative to the National Budget: Implication on Food Security.”

Specifically speaking, the managing director, Iproduce Africa, Mrs. Aisha Umar, stated that considering various, parastatals, agencies, research institutes, and federal colleges, among others under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, it is imperative that the government increase agriculture budget for adequate financing of these agencies.

She however noted that budgetary issues are not the forefront cause of food insecurity in the country, but political interest and technological declination in the sector.

Umar therefore urged the incoming government to appoint an agricultural expert with backgroung knowledge of agriculture as FMARD minister.

In her words: “Outside budget allocation, there is a need to look at how it is utilized. A lot of the money in the budget is just utilised for political interest.”

The solution is to have a minister that is technologically driven and can control civil servants and adopt private sector synergy, youth participation, agricultural credit without huge collateral and interest.

Meanwhile, the President and Chairman, Governing Councuil, IoD, Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Ije Jidenma, earlier in her opening remark said only 1.50% of Nigeria’s budget is to agriculture and looking at the looming food crisis, the dialogue was aimed at finding solutions to food insecurity in Nigeria through improved budgetary allocation.

According to her, “The Food and Agriculture report showed that between June and August, 25.4 million Nigeria is at the risk of food insecurity, hence the need for increased budgetary to mitigate food insufficiency.”

On his part, Dr, Olabode Adetoye, Chief Executive Officer Value Ingredients disclosed that inadequate synergized collaboration is the first challenge affecting agriculture in Nigeria He said: “Synergy between the state, federal, agencies, private and public sector is less than 40%, which is the first major challenge of food security.”

Speaking further, the former commissioner for agriculture and food security, Ekiti state, noted that the government must be ready to attract investors and encourage public and private partnership to achieve food security.

According to him, agriculture should be contributing more than 60% but more than the percentage suffers post-harvest losses due to poor storage facilities and transportation.

Calling on policy makers to review set targets towards an improved agriculture system in each state, he said that “land tenure system should be reviewed, by providing compensation to land owners, and improving the enabling environment.”

Similarly, Mrs, Edobong Akpabio, Executive Director, Greenport Impact Cluster Nigeria Limited, maintained that the absence of collaboration between the state and federal government, and lack of synergize engagement between the agencies and parastatals under FMARD, including private and public sector, are the major implications on food security.

She identified that insecurity, monitoring and evaluation of budgets utlisation were factors promoting food insecurity, adding that no enabling environment for rural farmers to provide enough.

Also, the Presidentt, AFEX Commodity Exchange, Mr. Akinyinka Akintunde, also a panelist at the meeting, tasked the government to prioritize agriculture by improving the agriculture sector budget and attracting investors.

He added that: “Experts need to find out opportunity cost and appropriate capital in financial agriculture.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, who was represented by a director, Mr. Jerome Olowoyeye, also tasked stakeholders to understand the problems, review agric targets and find lasting solutions.

“Budget must be allocated based on usage and adequate monitoring of executions be done. If goals are not met, then restrategizing such targets towards food security needs to be checked and worked on”, he said.

Agro Nigeria / F.I

Amassiani qualifies for two semis

Mosunmola Ore
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Chukwudubem Amassiani from Abuja has emerged as a young tennis star to watch as he swept through his round-robin groups in the Boys 12 and 14s to qualify for two semi-finals at the ongoing CBN Junior Tennis Championship.

READ ALSO: Niger State Tennis Association Urges Youths To Embrace Sport

The winner of that match will play against the winner of the second semis between top seed David Edwards, just back from the African Junior Championships in Togo, and Sulaimon Samod from the host club.

The Iorlumun sisters Eunice and Mary, who emerged top of their groups, have been coincidentally drawn to meet in the semis of the Girls 16s. The other semi-final will feature Alice Paul from Ondo and Etioro Bassey from Akwa Ibom.

Nine year-old Karina Opuene from Bayelsa has been the attraction of the Girls 12 event as she showed tremendous skill and determination to win two matches in her group one of which was a decisive 6-0  trashing of Barakat Ganiyu from Oyo State.

The tournament taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club is scheduled to end on Saturday.

Coalition of Observers Call for Review of Kano State Guber Election

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Coalition of INEC Accredited Domestic Election Observers, CIADEO, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to review and conduct a supplementary election in affected areas with over 270,000 cancelled votes during last governorship election in Kano state.

The CIADEO team leader, Comrade Friday Maduka stated this during a Press conference held in Kano state north Western Nigeria.

He said INEC should as a matter of national urgency review the outcomes of the election to enable those disenfranchised, to excercise thier civic rights in a transparent, free and fair electoral environment.

“There were observed cases of violence, over voting, intimidation in Gwarzo,Tundun – Wada,Bagwai ,Dala and Fagge local government areas of the state among others that needed consideration.

“Also the margin of lead which is about 130,000 votes is less than the total cancelled votes of over 270,000

“INEC did a review of results in Abia, Enugu, Adamawa States, including Tundun- Wada federal constituency in Kano state, where a winner was already been declared by INEC, but later reviewed the entire process in line with our relevant laws in respect to the margin of lead and cancelled votes. However, similar thing wasn’t done in the Governoship election in Kano state,” said Maduka.

According to him, based on the above ,the INEC should review all the local government results in the BVAS or cancel the election result in the entire local government areas where malpractices and obvious irregularities were observed .

“INEC should apply same rules to every State involved in this gubernatorial election without bias and or preferential treatment to any individual or political party,” he said.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, had in a press conference and subsequent peaceful protest, rejected the declaration of Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP as the governor elect for the ancient commercial city of Kano by INEC.

 

N.O

NGX, SEC, CBN Train Youths on Investment Culture

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, Securities and Exchange Commission and NGX Regulation Limited are partnerinf with the Central Bank of Nigeria to educate over 100 students on the theme, ‘Plan your money, plant your future’, to further enhance investor education and financial literacy in the country.

 

This forms part of activities to mark the 2023 edition of ‘Global Money Week’.

The NGX said it has continued its advocacy of building saving ank investing culture in young Nigerians as it celebrates the 2023 edition of ‘Global Money Week’

It said the week was to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring that young people, from an early age, were financially aware, and gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achievefinancial well-being and financial resilience.

 

The Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Jude Chiemeka, emphasised on the need to guide children in their formative years to be responsible citizens in the future. He noted that choices they make today would have a significant impact on their future.

He said in a statement that, “the celebration which culminated in a closing gong ceremony had the overall winners at the quiz session in attendance as the Exchange closed the market by sounding the gong. They were also gifted shares with the first prize winner receiving N80,000 worth of shares while the first and second runner ups won N70,000 and N50,000 worth of shares respectively.”

 

 

 

 

Punch/Hauwa Abu

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