NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Agriculture

Experts urge regulation for antibiotics use on poultry, livestock

51 total views today

 

 

By Funmilola Gboteku

Mr Sunday Bamgbose, Former President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Lagos Chapter, has called for the regulation of antibiotics use on poultry and other livestock.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, Bamgbose said that its non-regulation in the poultry, food and animal industries has health implications.

He also said that lack of education of poultry farmers on the proper use of antibiotics and wide spread dependency on antibiotics were additional factors that mitigates curbing of the problem.

“Usually antibiotics should only be administered for treatment of infections, prevention of disease and growth promotion.

“Overuse of antibiotics, however contributes to the emergency of antibiotics-resistant genes in bacteria.

“For instance when humans consume the poultry products like eggs which also contains antibiotics residue, it accumulates in the body.

“This causes drug resistant strains leading to gastrointestinal disorders, toxic and allergies reactions among others which are detrimental to our health,” he said.

Bamgbose also said that on the economic side, farm products with heavy concentration of antibiotics could not be exported out of the country.

He noted that because of the antibiotics residue present in the egg produced by poultry farms, most farmers could not sell them to egg powder industries.

Similarly, Dr James Wageti, General Manager, Adamore Nigeria Ltd. and a Poultry expert, said that some of the antibiotics administered to poultry birds and other livestock were cancerous.

Wageti noted that the drugs may not have any effect on the poultry birds, but posed a risk to humans.

He explained that the overuse of antibiotics was more dominant in the poultry industries because the birds lay eggs daily so it was easy to pass the residue.

He added that for other livestock the only danger of using antibiotics was towards the period the animal would be slaughtered.

The poultry expert said that it was also important to know that most of the antibiotics used for animals were the same ones used by humans.

He said that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2050 there would be almost 10 million deaths as a result of antimicrobial resistance.

“They said that out of the 10 million, 4.2 million deaths would occur in Asia and four million in Africa, while the rest is shared among other continents.

“There will not be too many deaths in those continents because they have a strict regulation on the use of antibiotics on livestock,” he said.

Wageti noted that Europe for instance, had banned the use of antibiotics in poultry farms more than 15 years ago.

He said that the problem with Africa was the long term use of antibiotics on poultry birds and non-regulation.

He therefore advocated for strict measures and regulations with a view to curtailing the overuse of antibiotics in Nigeria.

He also called for more awareness for poultry and livestock farmers on the dangers of antibiotics abuse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Deborah Coker/Ismail Abdulaziz

 

Entertainment

8th Nigerian Idol begins April 23 – MultiChoice

87 total views today

 

By Taiye Olayemi

Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, on Tuesday disclosed that the eighth edition of Nigerian Idol would begin April 23 and run till July 16.

Tejumola during a media briefing in Lagos said the live performances for the show would also run from May 28.

She said the winner of this year’s edition of the show would walk away with N35 million cash prize with overall grand prize worth N100 million, including gift items, which would be disclosed later.

“This time, we are having our judges back, Obi Asika, Simi and D’Banj would be retained as judges as well as Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa as the host of the show.

“We decided to retain them because they succeeded in doing a great job during the 7th edition, bringing their unique personalities to the show and it emerged the best so far.

“The 8th Nigerian Idol will air on Africa Magic Showcase, Urban and Family. It will also air on an extra channel- channel 199, every Sunday at 7.00.p.m.

“This edition promises to unveil another set of great talents among Nigerian youths,” she said.

Tejumola disclosed that there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of entries received for the eighth edition of the show.

She acknowledged the headline sponsors of the show- Techno and Bigi; the tactical sponsors- Waw, Close-up, Tom-Tom and many others.

She appreciated the sponsors for their quest to contribute their quota to the growth of the entertainment industry.

“Nigerian Idol over the years has provided our audience with premium entertainment, the contestants with healthy competitions in their performances that drive to the emergence of the winner.

“Nigerian Idol will continue to offer talented artistes platform to show the continent what they can do and the opportunity to rise to fame through hard work and dedication.

“It is the right space to gain access to mentorship through the judges and couches who will expose the intricacies of the industry to the young talents.

“We invite all to join us in this journey of self discovery,” she said.

Speaking on his company’s involvement, Biola Aransiola, Assistant Brand Manager, Bigi, said “We are happy to be here, it is a big platform to help talents grow in Nigeria.

“We want to be that partner that holds them hand-on-hand to achieve greatness.”

Also, Mr Thompson Ani, Techno Marketing Manager, said “We are here bigger and better, we like giving back to the communiy, we are coming as headline sponsor this time because we want people to see the hidden talent in individual Nigerians.

“We are coming bigger this year.  So, expect something big.” NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

General News

Engineering council, college partner to sanitise profession

62 total views today

By Funmilola Gboteku/Stellamaris Ashinze

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is partnering with the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) to sanitise the profession against quackery.

A Senior Engineer and COREN Representative in Lagos, Mr Tomide Akinnawo, made this known during a courtesy visit to the FCFMT, Victoria Island, on Monday in Lagos.

He said that the partnership would give them the opportunity to help the institute ensure that all its engineers were certified members of COREN and not quacks.

“We need to ensure that all the engineers are registered professionals; that way we are sure the students are in safe hands.

“Engineering is the backbone of development in any nation. Therefore, it has to be taken seriously,” he said.

Akinnawo said as members of COREN, it was essential to ensure that quackery and fraudulent practices which had been hindering engineering practice in the society were curbed.

The Provost of the FCFMT, Dr Chuks Onuoha, said that the institute was ready to collaborate with any sister agency and COREN would not be an exception.

Onuoha said that such collaboration would lead to the development of the nation.

”Just as pointed out by COREN that technology or engineering is the bedrock of any development.

”We look forward to a friendly relationship with your agency and also no advice from you regarding how to make our institution better would be disregarded, ” he said.

He also urged the council to assist in registering their students as members of COREN at a subsidised fee.

The Chairman of Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Lagos chapter, Mr Kayode Ibidapo, said that the council was willing to expose the students to more beneficial workshops and trainings about the engineering profession.

“We believe that the technicians and craftsmen in your institution should also not be excluded. They need to attend trainings and workshops to upgrade themselves, ” Ibidapo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that COREN is the regulatory body that governs the practice of engineering in Nigeria, while the FCFMT is a monotechnic approved by the National Board for Technical Education.

The College was originally known as the Federal School of Fisheries, established in 1969 as a vocational training institute for Nigeria’s in-shore fishing fleet.

It was upgraded to a technological institution in 1992.

The college offers courses in Fisheries Technology, General Science, Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and Maritime Transport. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Oil & Gas

Petroleum stakeholders outline strategies for post-subsidy era

82 total views today

 

By Yusuf Yunus

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors have urged the Federal Government to outline strategies for a sustainable future in the downstream sector.

The appeal was made during a virtual online workshop on Friday in Lagos with the theme “Deregulation of the Nigerian downstream sector: The day after.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Nigerian Petroleum Downstream Industry in collaboration with the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA).

The stakeholders at the workshop called on the government to implement appropriate palliatives in the form of public transportation and freight of agricultural produce.

They urged government to ensure transparent and effective communication, improve access to foreign exchange, trade finance, guarantee strategic stock, and provide access to crude oil for refineries ahead of the plan to embark on the total removal of petrol subsidy.

The workshop offered the industry regulator and all players across the midstream and downstream value chain the opportunity to deliberate on measures that needed to be put in place ahead of the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The participants also focused on the need for operators in the industry to professionalise the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors ahead of the take-off of full deregulation.

Mr Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory (NMDPRA), said that the Authority would allow free market pricing once the sector was fully deregulated.

Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director, Distributions System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure of NMDPRA, spoke on the role of the regulator in pricing, safe operation and enforcement, while the Managing Director, CITAC Africa, Gary Still, touched on market liberalisation or elimination of subsidies.

Alhaji Othman Yusuf, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), warned that the full deregulation of the downstream sector and complete removal of petrol subsidy would bring about opportunities and challenges.

The National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, revealed that the marketers are in full support of the government’s plan to embark on full deregulation of the downstream sector.

Okoronkwo, who was represented by Mr Mike Osatuyi, IPMAN’s National Operations Controller, warned Nigerians to prepare to pay up to N750 for every litre of petrol after the removal of subsidy.

He added that the pump price is likely to drop to around N500 if the Government encourages the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide forex to marketers at the official rate.

Okoronkwo also urged the government to channel savings from subsidy provisions to provide palliatives to the masses, adding that government must be sensitive to resentment from Nigerians.

Mr Taiwo Oyedele, the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), charged the government and the regulator to identify potential pitfalls that could trigger resentment from citizens before, during, and after the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to him, deliberate public sensitization, industry engagement, and collaboration with civil society organizations are needed to aid public buy-in during the implementation of full deregulation.

He said that in the course of implementing the policies, the government’s interpretation of its strategy must be issue-based and not confrontational.

Mr Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), advised the industry regulator to establish quality and safety standards for petroleum products.

Irukera, represented by Mrs Morayo Adisa, his Technical Consultant, said this include fuel quality standards, safety regulations for storage and transportation, and environmental regulations.

The Chairman of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr Olumide Adeosun, who doubled as the facilitator, stated that the virtual workshop aimed at addressing key challenges and outlining strategies to ensure a sustainable future for the petroleum downstream sector.

He said that safeguarding consumer interest in a deregulated environment was also significant, adding that the workshop provided data-driven insights into the sector’s growth potential.

“The importance of connecting to regional markets, positioning Nigeria as the regional refining hub, and fostering relationships with international service providers.

“Including rating agencies, finance and governance institutions, and aligning with the goals of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), was reiterated at the workshop.

“Ultimately, this collaborative workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and develop strategies to ensure the Nigerian Petroleum downstream Industry remains a strong, competitive force while transitioning to a more sustainable future,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

General News

LASG, engineers task students as 7 schools shine in WASH essay competition

141 total views today

 

 

 

By Grace Alegba

 

The Lagos State Government has advised secondary school students to come up with innovations to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues.

 

The Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Mr Muminu Badmus, made the call on Wednesday at the Grand Finale and Maiden Annual Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Essay Competition.

 

The event, which was part of activities to mark World Water Day, was organised by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) in collaboration with LWC and held at Victoria Island.

 

It had over 80 schools and representatives from six education districts in Lagos in attendance.

 

Badmus commended participants in the essay competition, saying the students must go beyond classroom knowledge to providing solutions.

 

The managing director said analytical skills would help the students to become game changers and pledged continuous support for the essay competition.

 

He urged secondary school students to keep participating in the competition to boost their knowledge, exposure and get important research skills to become solution providers.

 

Badmus cited example of Ansar-udeen Grammar School, ‘ADGS’ Surulere which invented a water Filtration and Purification system a few years ago, which won them the Nigerian Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

 

He said that the winners went on to represent Nigeria later that year in Sweden and were commended for their innovation.

 

“By asking the right questions, you can develop analytical skills and Investigate effects by digging deep into their causes.

 

“When you know the cause of a problem, the solution would easily fall on our laps,” he said.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Chioma Joseph, SS2 student of Keke Senior High School, Ifako Ijaye, clinched the overall best position in the senior category.

 

Vetland Senior Grammar School’s Olaoluwa Olaniyn came second while Oyewole Egunjobi of Ayangburen Senior High School and Josephine Hunpe of Lagos State Senior Model College, Kankon Badagry both came third place.

 

In the Junior Secondary category, Miss Chisom Ezeanya, Lagos State Junior Model College Ojo came first; Esther Ajileye, Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary School came second while Blessing Nwabueze of District Junior College Agege, came third.

 

NAN reports that winners were given laptops and other educational gift items while some schools also received cash donations.

 

The National Chairman, NIMechE, Dr Funmilade Akingbagbohun, said over 80 schools from six education districts participated in the essay writing on topics related to water, sanitation and hygiene.

 

Akingbagbohun said the competition was organised to address a lacuna in the space of water sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria and engineering is about problem solving.

 

She thanked the Lagos State Water Corporation for supporting the programme, and commended all the six education districts that participated.

 

The chairman said 20 out of 80 schools qualified for the grand finale, with seven emerging as winners.

 

She said all hands must be on deck for effective collaboration towards achieving a clean environment.

 

The Chairman said everyone had a role to play in ensuring improved water and sanitation facilities, to promote hand washing and prevent diseases.

 

Akingbagbohun said that every aspect of life required water.

 

She said the use of polluted drinking water and poor sanitary conditions in Nigeria had increased water-borne diseases including diarrhea and cholera.

 

The chairman gave statistics on the consequences of poor sanitation and water and the need to target the youth as game changers to provide solutions.

 

The guest speaker, Ms Cherish Jefferson, said the problems of water required multi-sectoral solution because its impact affected every sector and segment of life.

 

Jefferson, a 500 level student of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, called for collective action, saying SDG 6 was the most important which must be pursued to solve societal problems.

 

She said SDG 6 stated that everyone should have safely managed water, good hygiene and sanitation and focused on ending open defecation by 2030.

 

 

Jefferson called for deliberate efforts towards conserving water to mitigate the impact of climate change.

 

“Simple action like turning off a tap is important,” she said.

 

She also called for recycling of water, volunteering to support community-led initiatives for change and increased awareness campaigns.

 

Dr Adetola Salau, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on STEM Education said 1,000 children die daily from bad water, sanitation and hygiene, hence the need for creative ways for water conservation.

 

Salau promised to join the Lagos Water Corporation in the partnership, while urging the students to create prototypes on ideas they have toward solving problems in their communities.

 

She enumerated various aspects of engineering the students could explore while reeling out examples of teenagers providing solutions in some countries.

 

Other speakers, including the representative of the United Nations and the Commissioner for the Environment, explained measures and solutions being provided for flooding, and how STEM education was aiding creativity.

They enumerated challenges of COVID-19, hand washing, scarcity of drinking water, poor sanitation, among others.(NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environment

World Water Day: CWAY, partners advocate water security

116 total views today

 

By Oluwafunke Ishola

A marine scientist, Dr Roland Uwadiae, says Nigeria should strive to overcome water scarcity which constitutes a threat to water security.

Uwadiae, Associate Professor, Department of Marine Sciences,
University of Lagos, said this during the World Water Day organised by CWAY Group on Wednesday in Lagos.

The World Water Day, celebrated annually on March 22, raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the global water crisis affecting 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water and sanitation.

The theme for World Water Day 2023 is: “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.”

According to the World Health Organisation, 1.4 million people die annually and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene.

A report by UNICEF shows that over 86 per cent of Nigerians lack access to a safely managed drinking water source.

Uwadiae said that Nigeria has economic water scarcity when compared with other countries.

He noted that Nigeria has water but lacks infrastructure to distribute the water to citizens in dire need of it.

 

“Securing resources means finding the additional water resources needed to meet demand and respect the balance,” he said.

He said to achieve these, it must rely on human engineering and the ability to constantly innovate and come up with new solutions.

“This begins with technical solutions. In the future, we need to drill for water more deeply, transport it over longer distances, store it for longer and purify it more efficiently.

“We will develop new, cheaper and more advanced solutions, as the wider use of desalination and wastewater reuse.

“Technological innovation enables us to speed up the progress of new, smarter, more efficient, environment friendly, sustainable, and fairer solutions,” he said.

Uwadiae noted that globally, water security has become an integral part of every country’s national security and foreign policy.

“The right to water, so easily proclaimed yet so difficult to enforce, will be the common trend running through collective action and policy on water security.

“We must build to ensure that every drop of water is useful for basic needs,” he said.

According to him, water is not one Sustainable Development Goal among 17 others, saying it is the most precious element that enables the future of the planet.

He said that the World Water Day recommendation of universal right to water and access to water for all should be given a higher political priority.

 

Uwadiae said that financing water, better knowledge and shared governance were keys to implement water priority.

He added that urban and rural planning should include water security solutions as a prerequisite for any type of project.

According to him, electricity and water resources should both be approached as renewable resources.

He said that due to careless domestic, industrial and agricultural uses of water; resources in rivers, boreholes, water tables, dams and reservoirs were under pressure and rapidly being depleted.

To address this, Uwadiae stressed that water recycling and reuse should enter the country’s legal portfolio.

Similarly, Mr Deji Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Lagos Water Corporation, said availability of water was directly proportional to increasing population.

Johnson noted that the demand for water in Lagos was 650 million gallons of daily.

He disclosed that the state could only produce 210 million gallons of water daily for its citizens.

He said that production at the two main waterworks and mini waterworks in various parts of the state was hampered by infrastructure challenges.

Johnson added that the state government had partnered different stakeholders to improve investment in infrastructure and technologies that would enhance access to clean and safe water.

 

Also, Mr Abiodun Suleiman, Sales Director, CWAY Group, said that the company organised the event as part of its commitment to promote sustainable clean water and conservation.

Suleiman said the firm, through its various corporate social responsibility initiatives, had provided access to safe water to communities that lack access to water.

“Since we began operations in Nigeria over two decades ago, we have made significant contributions toward providing clean drinking water to millions of Nigerians.

“We have also organised several water conservation campaigns aimed at educating the public on the need to use water responsibly.”

Suleiman said the company remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians have access to clean and safe water. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Business

IKODIV Trade Fair: ICCI promises to support MSMEs

56 total views today

 

By Mercy Omoike

The Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has reiterated its support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in its annual Ikorodu Division (IKODIV) Trade Fair.

The chamber made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second edition of the IKODIV Trade Fair is scheduled to hold from March 26 to April 2, at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.

The fair is expected to accommodate more than 100 vendors, with affordable exhibition stands between N20,000 and N90,000 based on exhibitors capacity.

The fair is a joint partnership of the ICCI and LASUSTECH, supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and cooperatives.

The President of ICCI, Mr Rasheed Shoderu, said the aim of the fair is to promote continuous support for growth and improvements of MSMEs in Ikorodu Division.

According to him, the ICCI was established with the primary objective of promoting commerce, Industry and economic growth of Ikorodu Division.

“Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to create avenues of growth for businesses to thrive, and we are proud to say we have achieved significant strides in achieving this objective.

“Our IKODIV Trade Fair is one of the many ways to demonstrate our commitment to the economic development of our community.

“The fair provides a platform for MSMEs to showcase their products and services, network and engage in business transactions.

“As an organisation, we are convinced that promoting entrepreneurship and support for MSMEs is crucial to the economic growth of our community,” Shoderu said.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, said support for MSMEs is the fulcrum for economic growth of any nation.

“As a university we are glad that our transmutation has added impetus rather than distraction to the gestation of chambers and the Trade Fair.

“The theme of this year’s fair is very important, MSMEs are really the most important part of any economy.

“Data have shown that we have not less than 41 million MSMEs in Nigeria. Even if one employs just one person, that is about 20 per cent of the Nigerian population employed.

“Anyone, who ignores this segment of the economy is ignoring the human capital and financial development of the country.

“As a university we know this is one of the critical components of developing an economy, and if Nigeria will improve, we must consider MSMEs.

“We, therefore, want to recognise the IKODIV Trade Fair starting next week and we encourage everyone to support it,” Odusanya said.

Promising a successful fair, the chairman of the IKODIV Trade Fair, Mr Seye Adedipe, lauded the immense recognition the fair had received so far.

“It is my pleasure to welcome us to the IKODIV Trade Fair, it is one of the most anticipated event of the chamber.

“As chairman of the Trade Fair organising committee, I am pleased to announce that we have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that this year’s fair exceeds all expectations.

“The team has put in countless hours of hard work and dedication to bring an exceptional event that showcases the very best our local businesses have to offer.

“With over 100 exhibitors and counting from various industries and sectors, the fair promises to be a hub of innovation, creativity and economic opportunity.

“This year’s IKODIV Trade Fair has the full support of the Lagos State Government and we have the honour of hosting Gov. Sanwo-Olu at its opening ceremony.

“We thank and appreciate our sponsors, we appreciate your support in making the fair a reality,” Adedipe said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

General News

Surveyors warn Nigerians against patronising quacks

66 total views today

 

 

 

By Olatunde Ajayi

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Oyo State branch, has called on Nigerians to stop patronising quacks in order to tackle menace of land grabbing.

The call was made by the Chairman, NIS, Oyo state branch, Surveyor Waheed Lamidi, at an event organised to mark the 2023 Global Surveyors’ Day, on Tuesday in Ibadan.

The Global Surveyors’ Day celebration which started in 2018, takes place annually on March 21, to celebrate the impacts of surveyors globally and to bring to the front burner developmental issues underpinned by the profession.

Lamidi said that the NIS had put in measures to fight quackery while advising the general public to always engage the services of qualified surveyors.

He said that all registered surveyors had unique membership practicing numbers which distinguish one genuine surveyor from another.

Lamidi urged citizens to always verify with registered surveyors whenever they want to do anything partaining to land.

“We want people to be aware of the importance of carrying out a genuine survey on their land because without survey, there is no way government can plan well for the citizens.

“Members of the public should be watchful such that they will not patronise quacks, anybody that is not license by the Surveyors’ Council of Nigeria is a quack in the profession,” he said.

Lamidi appealed to the traditional rulers who oversee lands in their various domain in the state to cooperate, collaborate and patronise only registered surveyors to drastically reduce the issues of land grabbing.

He advised the members of the NIS both in public and private practice in the state to embrace its ethics in order
to protect the good image of the profession.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Association of the Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Oyo State, Surveyor Olatunji Egberinde, said that surveying remains the bedrock of meaningful development of any nation.

“Citizens could only ascertain that a land is free from government acquisition, ascertain the size of the land and carry out a survey plan that has record copy by engaging the services of genuine surveyors,” Egberinde said.

He also enjoined surveyors to upgrade themselves with modern tools in line with evolving technology and innovations so as to be able to deliver a globally acceptable services.

Earlier, the Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban development, Mr Emmanuel Olayiwola, said that the Surveyors’ Day calls for reflection on performance especially in the area of overall development of the state.

Olayiwola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Mofoluwake Adeniyi, said that surveyors remain strong pillars in the national development due to the relevance of the Geographic Information System (GIS) in all sectors of the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the inauguration of the Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) that enables surveyors to differentially correct static Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements at NIS State Secretariat, Ibadan, road shows and lectures.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

Lawmaker says orientation key to tackle voter

45 total views today

Temitope Adewale, House of Assembly member of Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I

 

By Itohan Abara-Laserian/Stellamaris Ashinze and Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Temitope Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, has identified orientation as a means of curbing voter apathy in the country.

Adewale, who was seeking re-election, gave the advice on Saturday against the backdrop of the governorship and house of assembly elections and the poor turnout recorded during the exercise.

According to him, a lot of youths still fail to understand the full import of the elections.

“I have also realised that it is on the election day that we have our youth doing their own inter-house sports, that is when they decide to play football on the street.

“You know, it is a Saturday and you will be surprised that most of them do not even have Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), so they are not engineered to go out and vote,” he said.

Adewale stressed the need for more enlightenment of such youth on the reasons why they have to exercise their franchise.

He also expressed displeasure that the actual people that turned out to vote was a far cry from the number of PVCs collected in Lagos.

“ It is saddening because it is less than 10 per cent; moving forward, we need to continue to orientate our youth to get them involved in carrying out their civic responsibility,” he said.

Adewale also berated the propagation of ethnicity and religious bigotry by some people during elections, saying these had no place in politics.

“We should focus on what can be delivered in terms of the dividends of democracy to the people rather than going to religion and everything,” he said, while also kicking against promoting the ethnic card.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the polls witnessed low turn out in many areas of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

 

Politics

APC to address complaints of aggrieved members in Lagos – Tayo Ayinde

65 total views today

 

 

By Adeyemi Adeleye/Olayinka Olawale

The Independent Campaign Council (ICC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), working for the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu  in Lagos State, says party leaders will address all concerns raised by its members ahead of the March 11 Governorship  election.

 

 

Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Director-General of the group, gave the assurance during a town hall with members in Alimosho, Oshodi and Mushin Local Government Areas, on Saturday in Lagos.

 

Ayinde, also the Chief of Staff to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, urged residents of these  areas to put all differences aside and unite for the success of the second term of the governor and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

 

The meeting was organised by the ICC to find out why the opposition party won elections in some local governments  in the state and why members did not come out to vote.

 

He said the aim of the forum was to rub minds, listen to complains and provide possible solution.

Ayinde also said that the meeting was to find out why the areas performed very low during the presidential election and how it could be addressed.

 

He said that the forum was to get feedback of issues, problems and challenges among members of the party in the these areas.

“The reason why we called this meeting is because we can not sit down at the state level and know what your  problems are at the local government level.

 

“This is why we came to interact with you and also find out the reason why the party performed woefully during the presidential elections.

 

“We are happy that you won your house of representative seat and you did not disappoint Asiwaju.

“We want you to help the other areas, Isolo and Ejigbo to win the elections. Conduct door-to-door campaign so that Oshodi Local Government will deliver.

 

“We were surprised about what happened during the presidential elections. So, we are here to find out what we can do ahead of the March 11 elections so that the party will not fail again.

“This is about how we will return our governorship candidate for the second term as well as our house of assembly members,” he said.

 

He said that all complaints would be addressed before the elections assuring that the party would pay more attention to youths .

 

Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urged residents of Alimosho to come out en masse to cast their vote for all APC candidates on March 11.

 

Orelope-Adefulire commended the residents of Alimosho and Lagos in general for their support for the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

 

She said that the administration of  Tinubu would be beneficial to the masses as more jobs would be created especially for the youth.

 

“I want you all to relax as the new government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be peaceful, create more jobs  and empower youths.

 

“We want you all to troop out on March 11 to cast your votes for all candidates of our party,” she said.

 

 

Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho, a former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, urged market men and women to conduct door-to-door campaign in Mushin and Odi-Olowo area of the state.

Tejuosho said the leaders of the party had  heard their complaints and would work hard to address them.

 

According to her, their support will go a long way in helping the party to retain power in the state.

 

“We want you all to come out and cast your votes.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants included  youths, artisans, market men and women, religious bodies, traditional rulers, community development associations and people living with disabilities.

 

Majority of the participants had expressed displeasure and accused leaders of the party of neglect, poor leadership, and lack of financial mobilisation of its members during elections.

 

The meeting was very tensed in Alimosho and Oshodi LGAs as members accused the leaders publicly of antiparty activities.

 

A representative of the youth in Mushin, Mr Mutiu Adekunle, urged the government to carry the youths along in affairs of the state,  adding that they should be considered for political appointments.

Mr Adigun Olalekan, another youth representative, urged the government to reconcile all aggrieved youths before the next election.

 

He assured the leaders that youths in Mushin would embark on grassroots campaign.

Stakeholders at the meeting included Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; Mr Bayo Oshinowo,Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters; APC council leaders and council chairmen of Oshodi  and Mushin LGAs.

Also in attendance was Mr Musilu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), Chairman, Lagos State Parks and Garages Management, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email