NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Health

NGO canvasses fitness exercise to curb cardiovascular diseases

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

President, Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria (ABBFN), Soye Elekima has called on Nigerians to engage more in physical fitness training  to   prevent cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases.

Elekima stated this on Monday in Abuja at a news conference to unveil the 2023 `Shape Up Nigeria30x30 Fitness Challenge’ (NFC) project.

He explained that the project was meant to sensitise Nigerians to undertake 30 minutes of continuous exercise per day for 30 days in October, to  boost a healthy lifestyle.

Elekima said that there is  a need for Nigerians to embrace physical activity  as a way of life in order to stay healthy and prevent so many illnesses.

“Many studies have proven beyond doubt that lack of physical activity/exercise is one of the main risk factors for major diseases responsible for high levels of morbidity.

“Physical fitness training and appropriate healthy diet could make significant difference,  to prevent the burden of cardiovascular, diabetes and other diseases,’’ he said.

The ABBFN president said the `fitness challenge’ project is designed to sensitise and educate Nigerians on the benefits of staying fit and imbibing exercise as a way of life.

“The Nigeria Fitness Challenge (NFC) will be a month-long initiative designed to transform Nigeria into having some of the cities becoming more active in the world.

“It is all about motivating and involving residents of Nigeria to undertake 30 minutes of continuous exercise per day for 30 days to boost a healthy lifestyle.

“The NFC which starts on October  1 to 30 begins with an Independence Day patriotic exercise, workout session to experience the freedom and flexibility that determines our strength.

“It will include over 1,000 fitness classes, 250 fitness hubs and 36 fitness villages all over Nigeria,’’ he said.

Elekima is also the representative of the International Federation of Fitness and BodyBuilding (IFBB) in Nigeria.

He said that plans have been concluded for President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa,  to kick off the `Independence Day Exercise Patriotic Workout Session’ on Oct. 1.

He said   that Diri will soon be unveiled as the face of NFC following his contributions to sponsor the Fitness Day bill during the 9th Assembly as a House of Representative member and Senator.

He is presently with an executive bill to make fitness a law in Bayelsa.

Elekima urged Nigerians, State governments, institutions and organisations to register and participate in the project as a way of developing a healthier nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

President Bola Tinubu
General News

Arewa Economic Forum tasks Tinubu on fairness, inclusiveness in appointments

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By Kadiri Abdulrahman

A socio-economic pressure group, Arewa Economic Forum, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to be fair and equitable in the appointment of competent Nigerians into government positions.

The Chairman of the Forum, Ibrahim Dandakata, who said this in a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, specifically cited appointments into the finance ministry as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Dandakata said that the appointments of Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, Folashodun Shonubi, Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), occupied by people from a particular section of the country, could send wrong signals.

He also cited the appointment of Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, among others, who are also from the same zone in the country as Edun and Shonubi, as capable of also sending wrong signals.

Dandakata urged Tinubu to look for competent Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country for the purposes of fairness and inclusiveness.

“As you may be aware, finance and ICT are crucial to the economic eldorado that the president envisions for Nigeria.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance manages the finances of the federation, including controlling and monitoring federal revenues and expenditures

“The Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy develop a knowledge-based economy and facilitate the development of the ICT industry towards increasing its contribution to GDP.

“The two ministries play greater roles in facilitating businesses, e-commerce, job creation, empowerment and increased efficiency and productivity, which are vital for economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

According to him, the importance of finance and ICT sectors are such that we must be circumspect in the kind of decisions we make in those sectors.

He, however, commended the president for retaining performing chief executives of some key government agencies.

“As a patriotic, refined statesman who won a credible national mandate in February, Tinubu has a duty to not only be fair to all parts of the country but also to be seen to be fair to all parts.

“Meanwhile, we must commend the president for retaining some performing chief executive officers of leading agencies in economic and technology sector like Bello Hassan of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and Kashifu Inuwa of National Information Technology Development Agency.

“We believe that more competent, qualified and experienced technocrats from the North can also be appointed to head crucial sectors of the economy,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Joseph Edeh

Sports

NPFL unveils opening fixtures for 2023-24 season

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Tuesday in Abuja released its schedule for matchday one of the upcoming 2023-2024 campaign season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the season is scheduled to kickoff on September 9.

At a colourful draw held in Abuja, the fixtures for the upcoming season was held, with football stakeholders led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman, Nigeria Premier League Board in attendance.

NPFL champions Enyimba of Aba will kick off their title defence with a mouth watering home encounter against Bendel Insurance, Federation Cup champions.

It’s Shooting Stars of Ibadan against Plateau United, while Akwa United lock horns with Bayelsa United.

Niger Tornadoes will face Abia Warriors, Remo Stars and Rivers United, newly promoted Katsina United vs Kwara United and returning Kano Pillars against Sunshine Stars of Akure.

Lobi Stars will square up against  Heartland FC of Owerri, newly promoted Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United and Enugu Rangers against Doma United of Gombe.

Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman, Nigeria Premier League Board told newsmen after the draws that the board is working round the clock to ensure a better and more professional league.

He said plans had been to concluded to have most of the games streamed live, in partnership with Propel Sports Africa/MTN, so that Nigerians home and abroad can enjoy the league.

“We have an agreement already with Propel Sports Africa to steam at least eight of the 10 matches live.

“So you can watch almost all of the matches with your phones and smart devices in over 100 countries in the world, this will enable Nigerians in diaspora also watch the NPFL every match day,” he said.

Elegbeleye explained that the MoU with the Propel Sports Africa and MTN, will enable Nigerians watch the matches live with a token subscription.

The chairman said the League board was also working to improve officiating and prize money for the league, which was 100 million naira in the 2002-23 season.

NAN reports that with the return to the full league format, 20 clubs will now battle for the title in 380 explosive matches, unlike the abridged 2022-23 season.

2023-2024 NPFL matchday one fixtures

1.Enyimba intl of Aba vs Bendel  Insurance

2. Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United

3. Bayelsa United vs Akwa United

4. Shooting Stars vs Plateau United

5 Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes

6. Rivers United vs Remo Stars

7. Katsina United vs Kwara United

8. Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars

9. Heartland FC vs Lobi Stars

10. Rangers United (Enugu) vs Doma United (Gombe).

(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Sports

Enoh pledges to focus on athletes’ welfare, facilities

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

Sen. John Owan-Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has pledged to prioritize athletes’ welfare and improvement in sports facilities across the country in his bid to reposition sports.

Enoh stated this on Wednesday, shortly after inspecting the package A and B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He described the stadium, which was built in 2003, as a national monument that must be constantly maintained and improved upon in line with international best practices.

“It’s interesting that amidst the so much I have seen, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is a national monument for this country.

“I believe that since it was built in 2003, it has remained a very definitive national monument. There is about nothing you will find elsewhere (abroad) that you cannot find here.

“But from 2003 till date, the facility has gone through a lot and has suffered a lot,” he said

Enoh specifically decried the state of the athletes’ hostel, within the package B of the stadium, stressing the need for a facelift.

“I had to go to the athletes’ hostel and part of the briefing I had was that the initial conception of this place is that the Games Village was supposed to be part of this facility.

“So it’s a bit unacceptable that after several years, we find the facility in this sorry state.

“The ministry under my leadership will do all it can to ensure that the hostel becomes functional again,” he said.

The minister said he was going to adopt a systematic approach to the rehabilitation of all major stadia in the country, adding that the next point of call will be the national stadium in Lagos.

He said aside the improvement in facility, the welfare of athletes will also be given serious attention so as to enhance Nigeria’s chances of podium finish at international events.

‘The kind of  treatment we put in place for the comfort of our athletes remains very critical in terms of our goals and objectives and winning laurels that this country so desires,” he said.

Enoh said as part of efforts to ensure proactive and seamless coordination, he will be operating from his office at the stadium and not moving to the Federal secretariat.

He, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, to relocate all other departments to the stadium office, for efficient service delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was accompanied on the tour by the permanent secretary and relevant directors in the ministry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Sports

Enoh promises transparent leadership to reposition sports sector

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By Muhyideen Jimoh
Sen. John Enoh, Minister of Sports Development has pledged to provide transparent leadership in repositioning the Nigerian sports sector.
Enoh made the pledge on Monday in Abuja shortly after assuming office as the 36th Minister of Sports Development.
He said inspite of the fact that he was not being an active sports personality, he was ready to hit the ground running by working as a team player with all sports stakeholders to transform the sector.
“I don’t think you need to be an active sports participant for you to be minister of sports.
” I think what is required is who can provide leadership, direction, someone who is transparent, understand the sector and reposition it and that is what am bringing on board,” he said.
The minister stressed the importance of sports as a uniting factor, while calling for all hands to be on deck to develop the sector in line with international best practices.
“There is no other endeavor in this country that is as uniting as the sports endeavor.
“Inspite of our diversity, the difficulties, the difference, the conflicts, I think Nigerians always unite as one whenever there is a sporting event,” he said.
Enoh also used the occasion to send a goodwill message to Nigerian athletes representing the country at the ongoing 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
“Let me assure you that President Bola Tinubu is standing behind you with the entire nation, united in our support and admiration,” the minister said.
He said the Federal Government will continue to ensure that Nigerian athletes get their due recognition and the right atmosphere is created for them to excel.
The minister is an accomplished educationist, philanthropist, farmer and politician who served as a two-term Federal House of Representatives member and then Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly of the Senate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Economy/Business

DMO records N312bn subscription in August bond auction

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By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office (DMO) says it received a total subscription of N312.56 billion in its August, Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bond auction.

The DMO made this known in a statement released through its official website on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DMO held the FGN bond auction on Monday, amidst monetary policy tightening and uncertainties.

Four instruments were offered to investors at the auction.

The instruments were 14.55 per cent April 2029 FGN bond; 14.70 per cent June 2033 FGN bond; 15.45 per cent June 2038 FGN bond and 15.70 per cent June 2053 FGN bond.

They were valued at N90 billion each, making a total offer of N360bn.

“In spite of current market conditions, the auction received a total subscription of ₦312.56 billion.

“Investors’ appetite for the 15.70 June 2053 (30-year bond) remained strong, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.71 times.

“The amount allotted to successful bidders for the four instruments was N227.76 billion.

“Allotments were made at 13.85 per cent for the 14.55 per cent April 2029 instrument and 15.00 per cent for the 14.70 per cent June 2033 instrument.

Also “15.20 per cent was for the 15.45 per cent June 2038 instrument, and 15.85 per cent for the 15.70 per cent June 2053 instrument, ” the DMO said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FGN bond, like the FGN savings bond and the sovereign sukuk, are FGN securities which constitute the local component of government borrowing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Gender

Child Marriage: NGO advocates laws to protect, promote adolescent girls’ rights

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By Justina Auta

An NGO, Focusing on Women and Girls Initiative for Positive Change (FOWGI for positive change),
has called for the implementation of laws that will protect and promote adolescent girls’ rights to end child marriage.

Mrs Rifaku Ademola-Bello, the Founder and Executive Director, FOWGI, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Ademola-Bello described child marriage as any formal or informal union between a child (boy or girl) under the age of 18 and an adult/another child where
they live a partner as though they’re a couple.

She attributed the cause of child marriage to cultural, economic and social forces prevalent among Nigerian’s poorest, rural households and uneducated population.

The Executive Director stressed that implementing laws and policies, as well as domesticating them such as the Child Rights Act will address the prevalence of child marriage and encourage girl-child education.

“ Without strong regulatory protections for girls, child marriage is a common practice in Nigeria rooted in traditional, economic, religious, and legal conditions that disproportionately affect girls and women.

“Also, it is used to avoid the social stigma over teen pregnancy.

“ Child marriage is also reinforced by unequal gender roles. Girls have very little access to decision-making power, bodily autonomy, or rights as it is of the belief that girls and women are inferior to boys and men,’’ she said.

She added that child marriage was a form of violence against children that reflects the low value accorded to the human rights of girls.

“Child marriage often violates children’s rights and compromises a girl’s development and wellbeing by placing them at a high risk of violence, exploitation, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and social isolation.

“Through limited education vocational advancement and employment opportunities.

“ Girls are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS, and early pregnancy, cervical cancer and obstetric fistulas while their offspring are at increased risk for premature birth and death as neonates, infants, or children.

“Beyond the increase in the number of females that are out of school, there are also health implications, especially child mortality as most married girls are denied a safe dwelling, and often do not have access to adequate health care.

“Child marriage constitutes a gross violation of human rights, leaving physical, psychological and emotional scars for life’’ she said.

She, therefore stressed the need to promote girl-child education, promote community dialogue and social mobilization, health and support use of robust data and evidence to inform policy and programming, track progress and document lessons as strategies to end child marriage.

“Empower girls with information, skills and support networks; Provide economic support and incentives to girls and their families; Educate and rally parents and community members; Enhance girls’ access to a high-quality education; Encourage supportive laws and policies,’’ she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Sports

CCSF taekwondo: Octagon TKD finish tops with 26 medals

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By Victor Okoye
Octagon TKD have emerged winners of the 6th edition of the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) Invitational Taekwondo Open in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, on Saturday saw Octagon TKD top with 26 medals including eight gold, seven silver and 11 bronze medals.
FCT-based Eagle TKD came second with five gold, six silver and 10 bronze medals.
While FCT came away with two gold medals to settle for the third position and Alamo TKD and Martial Arts finished fourth with one silver medal.
Niger’s Prestis TKD was the only invited club that did not register on the medal table.
NAN also reports that FCT’s Uneh Unique clinched the female athlete of the tournament award, while the male athlete of the tournament award went to Octagon TKD’s Jideofor Chukwumerije.
Chukwumerije’s explosive final with Achu Franco of Alamo TKD and Martial Arts was adjudged the fight of the tournament.
A total of 82 competitors competed in 15 categories across kiddies, cadets and juniors levels.
In the kiddies male category (for four years), Fehintoluwa Fasominu of Octagon TKD took gold, while Zayd Idris also of Octagon TKD settled for silver.
In the kiddies male (for five to six years), Chukwuka Anafulu of Octagon TKD claimed the gold, while Timi Tilley-Gyado also of Octagon TKD, took silver.
Chukwuemeka Anafulu and Mohammed Gwamna both of Octagon TKD settled for the bronze medal.
In the kiddies male (for seven to eight years), Jideofor Chukwumerije of Octagon TKD won gold, while Franco Achu of Alamo TKD and Martial Arts took the silver.
The duo of Joseph Ameh and Eze Anekwe of Eagle TKD settled for bronze.
In the kiddies female (five to six years) category, Joanna Akpu of Octagon TKD won gold, while the silver went to Chimamanda Amaechi of Eagle TKD.
Michelle Ufot of Eagle TKD and Wuraola Dauda of Octagon TKD settled for bronze.
In the kiddies female category (for nine to 10 years), Serena Chukwumerije of Octagon TKD emerged winner, while Eniola Dauda also of Octagon TKD took home the silver medal.
Soteria Ihetuge and Paula Agbayi both of Eagle TKD settled for bronze.
The Cadet male category for 11 to 14 years (-37 kg) saw Brandon Agbayi and Kristian Akingboro both of Eagle TKD win the gold and silver medal respectively.
While Kelechukwu Ozuah and Brian Samuel-Abbas both of Eagle TKD settled for bronze.
Chijindum Chukwumerije of Octagon TKD emerged winner of the Cadet male category for 11 to 14 years (+ 61 kg).
Felix Akpu of Octagon TKD and Samuel Essien of Eagle TKD settled for silver and bronze respectively.
In the Cadet female category for 11 to 14 years (-47 kg), Maliaka Chukwumerije of Octagon TKD took the gold medal.
While Esther Ohaka and Esther Oduah both of Eagle TKD settled for the silver and bronze medal respectively.
In the juniors female for 15 to 17 years (-63 kg), Ituanya Obiefuna of FCT TKD won gold, while Ezimasife Okonji of Octagon TKD settled for silver.
CCSF founder and CEO, Chika Chukwumerije told NAN that the foundation was totally committed to grassroots development of sport in the country, adding that the importance of fusing entertainment with sports cannot be overemphasised.
“The CCSF is a sports entertainment event that targets three things.
“We want to first and foremost support grassroots sports development as well as raise awareness about the projects my foundation is involved in.
“The event also gives Nigerians an alternative to music, comedy and dance,” he said.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic medalist added that his dream was to continue to fish out talents from the grassroots and raise more future Olympic champions in the country.
He noted that he was fully involved in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 where he personally supported and took one of the country’s young athlete, Elizabeth Anyanacho, to compete.
“Getting the 21 year-old to compete at the games was a really tough journey for me and in 2021. I was also very involved in alot of grassroots development projects.
“I am now fully focused on my foundation because I have a deep love for youth empowerment and sports development.
“We are going to focus on organising more sports entertainment events such as this and the next will be a very elaborate one in December.
“We want to also raise awareness and kick start an orphanage project to cater to underprivileged children,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Salif Atojoko
Sports

Crime: Plateau Govt. prioritises sports, youth development

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By Peter Amine

Jos, Aug. 11, 2023 (NAN) The Plateau Government has prioritised sports and youth development, to engage youths in order to curtail social vices and curb crime and criminality in the state.

Mr Lawandi Datti, Plateau Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.

Datti said that Gov. Caleb Mutfwang`s administration was committed   to youth development and wellbeing.

The commissioner said that his visit to the Zaria Road Stadium on Thursday was to assess the state of facilities with a view to giving it a facelift.

“We need to give the stadium a facelift to enable our teams; Plateau United and Mighty Jets play their professional and national leagues at the stadium.

“We noticed that the facility was vandalised last season and we need to fix it for Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to approve for our teams to play.

“It is not news that apart from engaging the youths, sports is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.

“If we invest in sports, it could be a huge source of revenue for the state,’’ he said.

Datti said that the state government was working on skills acquisition programmes to train youths on how to set up their small scale businesses and be self-sufficient.

According to Datti, an idle man is a devil’s workshop, adding that government would do everything possible to take idle youths off the streets. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Troops of the Nigerian Army
Defence/Security

Troops raid IPOB/ESN camps in Enugu, Cross River

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Army and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North, Local Government Area of Enugu State.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the troops operating under the auspices of Operation UDO KA II, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, subdued the group with superior firepower, neutralising two fighters.

He said the troops also recovered three Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and a locally-fabricated single barrel gun during the encounter.

He added that the troops, in conjunction with DSS, apprehended a notorious ESN Commander, Mr Ezege, in a separate sting operation at Obinagu in Udi Local Government Area of the tate.

According to him, the arrested ESN commander, recently threatened to unleash mayhem in Enugu state via his viral video and audio message circulated on some social media platforms .

He said the suspect is currently in custody for further investigations.

Nwachukwu said troops of 130 Battalion, operating in 13 Brigade Area of Responsibility under 82 Division, in collaboration with DSS operatives, also smashed a notorious syndicate of gun runners at Obudu in Cross River.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence revealing the illicit activities of the gun runners in Obudu and Biaju general areas.

He said the leader of the gun running syndicate was nabbed in the sting operation, alongside his accomplices comprising two Nigerians and two Cameroonians.

Nwachukwu said the preliminary investigations had revealed that the accomplices purchased firearms, which they in turn sell to a middle man, who supplies the arms and ammunition to Ambazonian Separatists in the Republic of Cameroon.

He added that a subsequent operation conducted on Thursday, led to the arrest of the gun running kingpin, Raphael, aka Biajua, a Cameroonian, at Biajua community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to him, the troops also recovered four Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.

“The Nigerian Army enjoins the general public to remain vigilant and report any untoward activity to the security agencies, in support of ongoing operations to curb security challenges.

“The good and enterprising people of  South East Nigeria are also encouraged to discountenance the illegal sit-at-home order and go about their daily activities and businesses without fear of intimidation, as ongoing operations will be sustained to counter the enforcement of the unlawful order,” he said. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

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