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VON’s Blessing Enebeli Wins Prevent Epidemic Media Award

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Nigeria Health Watch has celebrated Three outstanding Journalists at the third edition of its Annual Prevent Epidemics Journalists Award held in Abuja.

The Prevent Epidemic Journalism Award is ‘an Annual ceremony celebrating outstanding health reportage on epidemics preparedness in Audio/ Radio,  Print/Online and Tv.’

Voice of Nigeria, VON’s Blessing Enebeli was among the three Journalists who were honoured for covering all facets of Nigeria’s epidemic preparedness and prevention in their reports.

Ms Enebeli, a Producer of Health Corner, emerged as the winner of the Radio/Audio category for her story titled ‘Nigeria’s state of preparedness in combating the Monkey Pox virus.’  It was a story that talked about the need for stakeholders in the Health sector to be proactive in preventing the re-insurgence of diseases like Monkey pox. Emphasis was also on the need for public awareness and sensitisation, to eradicate the misconception and stigma associated with the diseases.

Other winners of the prestigious Prevent Epidemic Journalism Award are; Ms Ezuchimbu Ogona of the African Independent Television, AIT, who clinched the award for the second time in the TV category while Nike Tambe, a senior health reporter with Premium Times Newspaper won the Print/Online category.

The Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs Vivian Ihekweazu, said ”there is a need to give back to the media by celebrating their efforts in writing unique stories that focus on epidemic preparedness  and prevention in the Health Sector.”

She however urged stakeholders to focus more on epidemic preparedness and proper funding of the health sector.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Pope Francis Arrives in DR Congo

Christopher Ojilere
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Pope Francis has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC as part of a six-day visit to the African continent that includes a trip to South Sudan.

President Felix Tshisekedi, delegates from the government, and the Catholic Church greeted the pontiff, who is in a wheelchair, as he arrived at Ndjili international airport.

Report says he will conduct mass on the outskirts of the capital, Kinshasa, on Wednesday. But a planned visit to the eastern city of Goma has been cancelled for security reasons.

However, he will meet survivors of conflict from the resource-rich eastern region, where dozens of armed groups have operated for decades.

Many Congolese are hoping that a visit from the head of the Catholic Church will bring a message of hope and might boost efforts from the country’s leaders to find lasting solutions for peace.

About 50% of the country’s population is Catholic making it the largest Catholic community in Africa.

Pope Francis will visit South Sudan, another country riven by conflict, later in the week.

 

BBC/Christopher Ojilere

Nigerian Leader Inaugurates Projects In Jigawa State

Oluwasola Akintonde
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President Muhammadu Buhari has just inaugurated a 5,700 hectares Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in the Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

President Buhari said the newly inaugurated 5,700 hectares Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme, will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s quest for food security, job creation and economic diversification.

The President made the remark at a state banquet after inaugurating several projects executed by the Federal Government, the Jigawa State Government and the Malam Alu Farm Project, a private enterprise championed by a legislator, Farouk Aliyu.

The President urged the host community to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the gigantic irrigation infrastructure, saying ‘‘It will be a small part in our over-all quest to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.’’

He also charged the Jigawa State Government to sustain its commitment to the Agricultural Sector, acknowledging the success of the Cluster System introduced by the present administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar under the slogan of “Farming is a Business”.

More Projects

During his one-day official visit to Jigawa State the President visited four local government areas to inaugurate projects including the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme at Auyo, Birnin Kudu Specialist Hospital, Malam Alu Integrated Agro-Allied Farm, Birnin Kudu and the dualized Unity-Pentagon-Fanisau Road.

At the farm, the President unveiled a 50.3 metres flag pole, described as the tallest in the country by Hon. Aliyu.

The President also had an aerial view of some of the roads, infrastructure, bridges and places affected by the flood disaster in September 2022, which affected many parts of Jigawa State.

Flood Victims

He used the occasion to express sympathies for the flood victims, promising more relief materials to them.

‘‘While I was previously briefed on the scale of the devastations with regards to loss of lives, destruction of farm lands and public infrastructure, today I was able to personally see the extent of the damage.

‘‘Flying from Auyo through Kafin Hausa and some parts of Miga, Jahun, Kiyawa, Dutse and Birnin Kudu Local Governments, I was able to have an aerial view of some of the affected roads, infrastructure and bridges.

‘‘Even though the Federal Government provided relief materials largely in form of foodstuffs through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during the period of the flood, I want to assure the Government and People of Jigawa State that more relief would be provided through the National Committee that was set up by the Federal Government,’’ he said.

President Buhari commended Governor Mohammed Abubakar for his resounding achievements in the State, noting that he didn’t expect anything less from the man nicknamed “Mai Calculator”.

‘‘I have seen the state publication of a compendium titled “Against All Odds” which documented the progress and achievements recorded by the Governor over the first six years of his administration.

‘‘I was truly amazed by the extent of projects and programmes executed across all sectors.

‘‘I was amazed because of the limited fiscal space that we have faced over the years across all the tiers of Government but then I recall the financial prudence Governor Badaru has been known for which earned him the nick-name “Mai Calculator”.

The President also felicitated with the citizens of the State for unprecedented developments they have witnessed over the years.

He noted that the projects commissioned during his state visit were ‘‘only the tip of the iceberg,’’ adding that only one out of about 18 new general hospitals was inaugurated.

The President expressed delight that each of the thirty constituencies in the State would soon boast of a full-fledged secondary health facility.

Reputation sustenance

He urged the State government to sustain the reputation of the State with one of the highest road networks in the country.

On the Mallam Alu Farms in Birnin Kudu, the President described it as another commendable project which perfectly aligns with the administration’s agricultural transformation agenda.

He commended Honorable Farouk Aliyu for championing this wonderful project, saying:

‘‘I believe it will also significantly contribute to our objectives of economic diversification, food security and job creation.’’

‘‘We hope to see more such private sector led large agricultural projects especially with the enabling environment provided by both the State and the Federal Government.’’

On the 2023 General Elections, the President restated his call on Nigerians to remain peaceful.

‘‘Despite some of the challenges that continued to test the process of our democracy, I strongly believe, we have witnessed in the last seven years, entrenchment of the true principles and ideals of democratic governance in the Nigerian Polity. This has been one of the hallmarks of this Administration.

‘‘I must emphasize that tolerance and understanding are vital to the conduct of free elections.’’

Fertilizer

Earlier, at the palace of Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje, President Buhari promised to look into the requests of the State Government on the availability of fertilizers and other farm inputs to boost local agricultural production.

The President said Nigeria and Morocco had an existing agreement on fertilizer production, which will complement the existing 44 blending plants in the country.

The Governor of Jigawa State told the President that the State would remain grateful to the Federal Government for several completed and ongoing projects in the transport, education, health, social investments, agriculture and security sectors.

‘‘Since your administration, we have never seen it better in the life of Jigawa State,’’ he said.

‘‘We cannot thank you enough for food security, especially the Anchor Borrowers Programme. Today we see farming in Jigawa as a business and some farmers in the State are among the richest in Nigeria,’’ he added.

Governor Badaru also lauded the President for his intervention to the States of the Federation for the payment of salaries, provision of infrastructure and during the COVID-19 pandemic, running into trillions of naira.

 

Olusola Akintonde

JAMB Boss Warns No Deadline Extension For Applicants

Oluwasola Akintonde
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About 445,081 candidates have registered for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against the 1.8million applicants targeted by the board.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this while monitoring the registration exercise in Ilorin, Kwara State capital , North Central, Nigeria.

He said that JAMB’s target this year is 1.8 million adding that there will not be an extension and further revealed that JAMB is planning to build a multi-million naira zonal office for Kwara which has been captured in its budget.

The registrar said, “We do not expect any extension. As of Sunday, 445,081 people have registered out of the 1.8 million candidates that we are expecting.

“We have gone halfway but you know some of our people will come at the last hour. But there is no room for an extension because we have made provisions for the registration of 100,000 candidates per day and we are doing 60,000 daily now.

“So the candidates are the ones not turning up well enough. For those who want to write a mock, the space is almost filled and when that happens, we don’t want to turn the mock into another examination. When the numbers are up to a quarter of the candidates, we will stop it. Now, we have about 144,000 who have indicated interest to write the mock,” he added.

Oloyede said, “I have discovered that in one of the centres, instead of buying enough cameras to capture the students, the owner bought just one with the possibility of missing the pictures with the names of the candidates. That is very detrimental to the candidates and we have to suspend the centre from registration or conduct of the exams until the proper thing is done.

“Elsewhere, we had to make a few corrections but overall, it has been excellent because there has not been a single case of extortion. That is very gladdening to us as the purpose is to ensure that candidates have confidence in the system. We won’t allow any individual to pervert or divert the system.”

“We don’t need to appeal to any centre because they know we don’t have any sacred cows. Once they cross the line, they will be dealt with.

According to him, the board has been fair to the centers and that is why it has raised the fee of registration point from N700 to N1000 because of the price of diesel and it collected it on their behalf including the mock fee and pay the centres which amount to about N100m.

“We will continue to make the business profitable for the CBT centres but will not allow them to exploit the candidates,” Oloyede said.

JAMB boss noted that the inspection is to ensure that the rules and regulations for registration are complied with and convince everyone that there’s no need to cut corners.

 

 

Olusola Akintonde

VP Osinbajo Tasks Political Elite On Economic Well Being Of Citizens.

Oluwasola Akintonde
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Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that political elite in Nigeria have a duty in the interest of the economic well being of citizens to ensure that elections and electoral dispute resolution processes are free fair and credible.

Prof. Osinbajo, who spoke in Abuja at the 14th Edition of the Leaders Annual Conference and Awards, said it was the least the elite could offer their nations and the continent.

Prof. Osinbajo urged the elite to support the primary objective of government, reminding them of the enormous challenge they face in providing 90 million of Nigeria’s over 200 million people education, jobs and healthcare.

“Democracy, the rule of law, and the election of our governments by free and fair elections are crucial because they are meant to support the primary objective of enabling citizens to live well and have access to well paying jobs, opportunities, and services. Or in a broad sense to support the growth and stability of the economy of the nation.

“It is evident then that we must carefully curate these safeguards for the well being of our citizens to ensure that they do not negatively affect the very well being that they are meant to protect, namely the economy.

“And this is a delicate task indeed because in every election cycle, the first casualty is the economy, there is a reluctance to invest, and consumers are careful not to spend their savings or be bullish in the stock market sometimes because of the fear of electoral disturbances that might spiral out of control and make business and commerce impossible.” Osinbajo said.

Vice President Osinbajo pointed out that prospects for disruption of the economy were even greater where elections produce governments that are not credible.

“Legitimacy of governments as conferred by the freely given mandate of the electorate is a major consideration for savvy, substantial local or foreign investors.

“Capital, they say, is a great coward, running away from the slightest sign of trouble.

“Besides, recent electoral history in Nigeria has too many examples of electoral violence following electoral outcomes that are widely disputed. This of course usually means destruction of public and private property, and infrastructure aside from the waste of man hours while the unrest lasts and in its immediate aftermath.” Osinbajo added.

He said another test of the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral contests is the integrity of the umpire and the electoral courts .

“Where the umpire is perceived as unfair there is potential for trouble. Where the courts are perceived as arbitrary, whimsical or acting in contradiction to established precedents, there is an almost commensurate loss of confidence by the electorate.” Osinbajo further said.

Fair elections

Former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, who delivered the keynote address at the event, said critical development in Africa cannot succeed without a legitimate and democratically elected government that is responsible and responsive to its citizens.

“Free and fair elections are indicators to investors that there is a government in place that believes in fairness and the rule of law.

“When a government comes in through a fair ballot, investors get the assuredness that their property will be respected, taxation will be fair and rules will be simple and clear and they will not have to resort to corruption and bribery to set up their business.” Odinga said.

In her opening remarks, Mrs Nda-Isaiah, said that the 14th edition of the award was special for some reasons, among which was the presence of the vice president who had graced the event three times.

 

 

Olusola Akintonde

Nigerian Army Remains Resolute In Ensuring Stable Democratic Process

Oluwasola Akintonde
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Faruk Yahaya has assured that the Nigerian Army will ensure a stable democracy in the country by dealing decisively with all violent groups.

The Chief Of Army Staff stated this during a 3-Day Combined TRADOC Training and Doctrine Seminar for officers and men of the Nigerian Army in TRADOC Headquarters ,Minna Niger State North Central Nigeria.

The COAS was represented at the event by the Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Headquarters Abuja, Major. Gen. Kamilu Kadiri

With the Theme “Enhancing Training and Operations Through Doctrinal Imperatives in a Joint Environment”,The Chief Of Army Staff Said “the programme was geared towards repositioning and uplifting the Nigerian Army for greater excellence and performance of its duties by enhancing professionalism, readiness and cooperation”.

The training according to COAS must be realistic, continuous and evolving to meet the changing nature of war, conflicts and domestic realities.

Major General Yahaya further observed that there was need for paradigm shift from the classical battlefield’s conventional deployment and progressive evaluation of the combat efficiency of Nigerian Army to ensure maximum results.

He said the Nigerian Army must also maintain training and retraining of its officers and men to enable them deliver well in the ongoing fight against insurgency and other violent crimes across the country, adding that the army would not allow logistical challenges in their various operations to have negative impacts on its capabilities.

The Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj. Gen. Stevenson Olabanji said the objective of the seminar was to highlight issues that bordered on training, operations, administration and logistics and how they impacted on the effectiveness of the army as well as developing the capacity of all personnel towards harnessing their skills and contribution to the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army.

Facilities commissioned during the event included: a TRADOC Records Office, Finance Commander’s House, Corporal Below Quarters, a Nigerian Army Post Exchange and an Officers Mess Squash Court.

 

 

Olusola Akintonde

ECOWAS Court Expresses Commitement To Promote Law, Regional Peace 

Oluwasola Akintonde
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The President of the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Justice Edward Asante, has expressed the determination of the court to live up to its statutory role of promoting community laws and regional peace in the region.

Justice Asante made the commitment during the opening of the Court’s new building, which will serve as a temporary facility until the completion of the ECOWAS Complex in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

He noted that beyond this role, the regional court has in the exercise of its human rights jurisdiction which has become its defining mandate, contributed significantly to the promotion of regional peace and stability as well as good governance, transparency and accountability.

New dawn

The new building was allocated by the Nigerian government in response to a request by the Court for a bigger office complex to accommodate its staff, who previously worked from two locations within the city.

He said the relocation into the building opens a new dawn in the life of the court, adding that beyond the improved physical environment that it provided for staff, it also offers the court the opportunity for improved efficiency and productivity in the performance of its role as an international court.

“The provision of this edifice not only resolves the present accommodation challenges of the Court but should challenge the Court to aspire to increased performance that is reflective of the more congenial working relationship”, Justice Asante said.

He, however, lamented that the effectiveness of the court has been circumscribed by the poor enforcement of its decisions, which stands at about 30 percent despite the court’s impressive record of decisions and courage attributable to the independence and character of the judges.

The President of the Community Court of Justice bemoaned the attitude of governments in the region to obey and enforce its decisions on cases brought before it by aggrieved citizens.

Justice Asante while declaring the attitude as unfortunate, lamented that its effectiveness had been circumscribed by the disregard and disobedience to the decisions.

Collaboration

The Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, said ECOWAS can only function effectively if there is close collaboration between the institutions, specialized agencies and member states.

Ambassador Dada expressed Nigeria’s confidence in the leadership of the Community Court, noting that as a host country, Nigeria is obligated to provide a befitting edifice and infrastructure to enable members of the court to function effectively.

“As a responsible member of ECOWAS, Nigeria is always ready to ensure that it provides the necessary support and encouragement to all ECOWAS institutions,” Ambassador Dada assured.

Ambassador Dada also urged Member States to ensure the total implementation of the Community Court’s decisions to show that the rule of law prevails and to gain the trust and confidence of community citizens.

“As a matter of honor and duty, we are committed to ensuring that our sub-regional organizations remain the best in Africa and indeed one of the best in the world.

“Nigeria therefore enjoins the court to remain independent, reliable, efficient and accessible as a veritable legal institution of the community.

“While it is imperative that the Court continues to discharge and promote its judicial functions efficiently, we call on member states to provide all necessary support to the Court in other to enable it thrive”. Dada said.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray said that the new building represented a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and promote human rights in West Africa.

Touray however lamented the poor implementation rate of the Court’s judgments and decisions, a situation he called for urgent remedy.

“I am confident that the new office will provide the Court with the necessary resources and facilities to function efficiently and effectively.

“It is disheartening to hear Justice Asante to lament the slow implementation rate of the decisions of the court. That is a situation that we need to remedy.

“Our citizens must have hope in the rule of law and they should see rule of law being applied.

“The low rate of implementation of the Court of justice decision does not tell well and we should be in a position to remedy that.

“We thank the government once again, the people and his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for the trust and confidence he continues to repose in ECOWAS institutions,” Touray said. Pm

They Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Bello, said the commissioning of the new building lends credence to the long standing and cordial relationship with the Community Court, which he described as an ‘exemplary ECOWAS institution’ and assured that the ministry will accede to the Court’s request for the renewal of the rent for the new building when it’s due.

The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the General Counsel to the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Umar, said the ministry sees the Court as an ally in the protection of human rights, one of the Court’s four mandates.

 

Olusola Akintonde

Death Toll From Pakistan Mosque Bombing Rises to 100

Shakirat Sadiq
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The death toll from a suicide bombing at a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar has risen to 100, a medical official says, as the South Asian country faces a mounting security challenge from armed groups.

“So far, 100 bodies have been brought to Lady Reading Hospital,” the spokesman for the largest medical facility in the city, Mohammad Asim, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The vast majority of those killed in Monday’s bombing were police officers, he said.

Kashif Aftab Abbasi, senior superintendent of police operations in Peshawar, says more than 225 people were injured in the blast. Reports said

The roof of the mosque, which was located inside a government security compound, collapsed in the bombing, and rescuers had to remove mounds of debris to recover many of the bodies, authorities said.

The rescue operation had largely shifted to recovery. Reports said

“There has been a ceremonial send-off to those policemen who lost their lives, also funerals taking place across the province, because these policemen came from several districts, so there is mourning across the province,” he said.

The attack is the deadliest in Peshawar in a decade and was carried out during a surge in violence against the police.

 

 

 

Aljazeera /Shakirat Sadiq

2023 Elections: IPI seeks increased protection of press freedom

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls next month, the International Press Institute IPI, has reiterated its call for increased protection of journalists by all stakeholders involved in the elections process, particularly political figures, political party supporters, and security forces.

IPI’s Nigerian National Committee Chair, Musikilu Mojeed made the call on Tuesday via the organisation’s website.

‘’We urge Nigerian authorities to keep the promise they made to IPI Nigeria by calling the country’s security agencies and political elites to order” Mojeed appealed.

He noted that the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; the Director General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi, had assured the IPI last year that steps would be taken to eradicate attacks on journalists.

Musikilu Mojeed further added:  “We are reminding the authorities to keep their word now and at all times because IPI Nigeria is more determined now, than ever before, to hold anyone who engages in or encourages attacks on journalists to account.”

In the same vein, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette also called on authorities to ensure that journalists are free to do their work and in a safe and protected environment.

”As Nigeria approaches elections, authorities and political leaders must ensure that the press is free and safe to do their work of disseminating news and information, which is indispensable for citizens to be informed as they head to cast their vote’, she said.

 

 

N.O

 

CBN Governor Assures Old Notes Won’t Lose Value

Oluwasola Akintonde
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The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele has assured Nigerians that the value of old naira notes of 200, 500 and 1000 will still be redeemed even after they have ceased to be legal tender by February 10 deadline.

The governor gave the assurance when he appeared before the House of Representatives adhoc committee on the cashless policy of the apex bank.

He said the redemption was in tandem with the law, precisely section 20 (3) of CBN act.

He also noted that the essence of the currency swap was to mop up the old notes in circulation.

He said the CBN stood side by side with the House on the position of the law.

” Let me say that you are all aware that currency management is a key function the CBN has enshrined in section 2(B) of the CBN act 2007. And indeed, the integrity of a local legal tender, the efficiency of its supply as well as the efficacy in the conduct of monetary policy are some of the hallmark of a great central bank. And we have done our best and with your support and your cooperation to make sure that we do our work”. The governor said

He said that money in circulation in Nigeria doubled in seven years which made the CBN mandate of monetary policy not to be effective

The governor noted that the CBN has received the cooperation of Nigerians and that Nigerians were responding positively.

“We held several meetings with deposit money banks and provided them with guardians notes and processes they must adopt in the collection of old notes and the distribution of new notes. These included specific directives to the banks to load the new notes into the Automated Teller Machines Nation wide to ensure and equitable and transparent mechanism for the distribution of the new notes to all Nigerians”. He said.

He also noted that the ATMs was supposed to be a leveller but he was disappointed at the banks the way the swap went.

Emefiele lamented that rather than loading the ATMs with the new notes, banks were issuing the new notes to be used at parties and other ceremonies.

He appealed to Nigerians to show understanding that the policy was for the good of Nigeria.

“Its a pain that I want to appeal to all of us to show understanding because the overriding benefit to Nigeria and Nigerians is what we are interested in, which is about making our economy stronger and combating the high incidence of insecurity in our land”. Emefiele said.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Ado Doguwa, said the assurance would go a long way in calming the nerves of Nigerians.

He said that by the CBN act, the governor has the power to redesign the Naira and recall old notes and the National Assembly will help the CBN to protect the power in the interest of the Nigerian people.

He noted that the House welcomes the submissions of the CBN governor.

The chairman pointed out that the legislature as an arm of the government, supports the CBN to uphold the law.

Adding that lawmakers would go round their constituencies to educate them that the law remains sacrosanct.

 

 

Olusola Akintonde

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