The community Peace Action Network CPAN, under the Community initiatives to promote Peace CIPP has sued for peace in the season of Christmas and the New Year while commending communities on commitment to peaceful coexistence.

This was contained in a Christmas statement issued by Community Peace Action Network through Interfaith Mediation Centre IMC Kaduna on Friday, the group called for harmonious understanding among people of different faiths in the country

”The Community Peace Action Network (CPAN), under the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) program, wishes to show their sincere and deepest appreciation for the commitment to peace of community members and networks, despite the peculiar challenge of conflicts and violent situations in some communities in the country in the year 2020 with its devastating effect;

”As with the activities of banditry attacks, Kidnapping/rustling of persons and livestocks, ethnic-religious tensions, crop and livestock farmers clash, hate speeches, extremists activities among many other incidences recorded within the year 2020.”

While also noted that “The year has also seen the ravaging pattern of Covid 19 pandemic that has seen many lives lost, economic activities downturn, it has gravely wounded the country economy with serious consequences for many family members and communities; changes in daily routine and human interactions,

”which includes regulations to places of worship and subsequent restrictions all in the quest to reduce the spread of Covid-19 among the faithful.”

It however stated ”We sincerely commend the openness and commitment to peace, as it has enabled us to serve you better, towards a peaceful society. We urge you all to continue being strong in your passion to foster peaceful coexistence and prevention of conflicts in your community and stay safe to avoid the spread of Covid-19,

”By abiding with the laid down guidelines by health authority; to always make use of face masks, avoid over crowded places, observe personal hygiene at all times, while urging you to share same with family and community members’ for the safety of all

“Lastly, wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year celebrations!”

The Kwara State government has assured that its programmes and policies will be designed to target women at the grassroots for even development across the state.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Deborah Abosede Aremu, gave the assurance in Ilorin while speaking at the programme commemorating the six months establishment of Help Women Foundation (HWF), a brainchild of a front line female broadcaster, Ayobola Olupinla.

According to her, the present administration in the state is committed to addressing problems facing the female folks arising from the enormity of domestic activities they involve in.

Mrs Aremu, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in her Ministry, Mrs Afusat Nike Ibrahim disclosed that the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has set the pace and led by example with the appointment of many women into public offices.

The Commissioner appealed to men to look into the plights of women and help them, pointing out that the female folk was not meant to suffer.

“It has been ordained by God that men should assist women. We need to be pampared and catered for at all times”, she said.

Mrs Aremu therefore appreciated Ayobola Olupinla for her foresight that led to the setting up of Help Women Foundation and her wonderful initiatives that had helped in lifting the less privileged women in the society.

She said, “If as a woman, she has realised the plights of other women, we pray to the Almighty God to bless you. I’m happy she has chosen the grassroots as her focus. This is a laudable idea and she needs to be supported”.

The Chairman, Kwara State chapter of National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, thanked the state government for the opportunity it accorded the HWF founder to set up the foundation.

Akanbi, however, bemoaned the rampancy of divorce in the society and urged women to assist in curbing the trend through dialogue and out of court settlement.

He stated that children are mostly affected in the case of divorce.

The Founder of the foundation,  Ayobola Olupinla, told the gathering that her love for giving out at will, stimulated her to set up the foundation.

The Niger State House of Assembly in North Central Nigeria, has passed into law the 2021 appropriation bill of a total of N153,412,621,775.90 from N151,240,621,776 as presented earlier with additional N2.2 billion.

Presenting the report at the plenary by the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Bashir Lokogoma, stated that after proper scrutiny of the budget,  N72,583,201,831.30  was presented as recurrent expenditure from N72,503,201,831 for the House approval.

Lokogoma said that ”the capital stood at N80,829,419,944.90 from N78,737,419,945.00 which was presented by the executive.”

He explained that the state High court is  ”to get N400 million from N350 million while the Office of Auditor General to take N600 million from N30 million which make up the recurrent figures respectively.”

The committee chairman further gave the breakdown of the capital expenditure as administrative sector N8,703,607,618.50, economic sector N54,591,303,577.68 while Law and Justice has N1.3 billion as presented and Social sector got N16,234,508,748.72.

He observed and recommended that the current budget structure is complicated making it difficult to trace a particular capital allocation for scrutiny and for oversight.

The Speaker, Abdullahi Wuse, applauded the committee for a job well done and directed the Clark to provide five clean copies to the Governor for assent.

The Deputy Speaker, Jibrin  Baba represented the Speaker at the presentation and passage of the bill.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has condemned the attack on Garkida town in Gombi Local Government Area by suspected Boko haram members.

Reports say the attack caused the death of two civilians, including a 5-year-old.

Governor Fintiri says, “This latest cowardly attack on Gombi town is yet another desperate rearguard action by the Boko haram terrorists who have been under intense pressure from the Nigerian military.”

While sympathising with residents of Garkida over the unfortunate Christmas Eve attack, Governor Fintiri gave the residents of the state the assurance that the latest attack would not go without severe consequences.

He called on security agencies to do more to forestall attacks in the state.

Governor Fintiri regretted the appalling attack on innocent civilians, saying ”it is a cruel reminder of the indiscriminate aims of the terrorists and an example of why everyone must be involved to confront a menace without boundaries.”

“I stand with Garkida community in this difficult time, and will continue to support the Military’s efforts to ensure peace, security, and justice for the people,” Governor Fintiri said.

He described the attack as outrageous and an affront to the people of Adamawa and to all humanity.

Mercy Chukwudiebere