News Agency of Nigeria
Science & Tech

Perm Sec seeks investment in PRODA pencil

By Sylvester Thompson

Mrs Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation(STI), has urged investors to invest and help commercialise a pencil produced Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu.

The Permanent Secretary spoke at the ongoing 2023 Techno expo in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said PRODA was breaking grounds in research and innovation with a typical example of producing pencils that Nigeria imports.

“We need to come together and support PRODA to take the technology to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

” If we produce enough pencils for all our children, we don’t need another market because the market is right here.

” Nigeria is the most blessed county in the world, let’s come together and do the right thing and it will be well with all of us,” she said.

Dr Peter Ogbobe, Director-General of PRODA, said that it had been established that STI was the only way out for the growth and stability of Nigeria.

He said that the institute remained one of the leading research institute in the country since its creation in 1971.

Ogbobe said: ”PRODA’s numerous achievements were consciously or unconsciously geared towards the diversification of the economy.”

According to the D-G, PRODA’s engagement in innumerable demand-driven researches over the last 40 years had led to innovative breakthroughs and left tremendous impact on diverse sectors of the economy.

He said this was through agro-allied, construction, chemical, energy, metallurgical, electrical/electronic, automative and ceramics, among others, which are ready for commercialisation.

Ogbobe listed some of these research breakthroughs to include: Design and production of Soya bean flour processing flow line, design and production of plantain flour processing flow line.

He mentioned design and production of PRODA school pencil, design and production of pin and shackle Electrical Porcelain Insulator, which is relevant to the energy sector.

He also spoke about design and production of Ceramic multi-Biomas cooking stove for domestic purpose and other alternative sources of cooking.

The D-G listed various other research breakthroughs that were ready for commercialisatiion as well as collaborations and linkages PRODA has.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

Tinubu’s son visits Miyetti-Allah, seeks support for Tinubu/Shettima ticket

By Naomi Sharang

Seyi Tinubu, son of the APC, Bola Tinubu on Thursday, visited Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, National President, Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore Association.

The visit, in company of members of City Boy Youth Movement (CBYM), a Tinubu/Shettima support group, was to seek the association’s support for the Presidential bid of Tinubu.

Tinubu also called on the youth to vote for the APC during the Feb. 25 and March 11 general elections for renewed hope for Nigeria.

He said: ” Let us all go and collect our PVCs before the deadline and vote APC.

“A vote for Tinubu/Shettima will carry the youth along as a priority as stated in their manifesto.”

Tinubu also stated his unreserved gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for endorsing his dad, the APC Presidential candidate and his running mate Kashim Shettima.

He further said that the youth wing of the APC/City Boy Youth Movement would always work with the Fulanis in ensuring that the APC won the general election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was confered with the chieftancy title of “Sokajo Fulbe” (the Ambassador of the Fulani Youth).

Leader of the youth movement, Mr Favour Abayomi who also canvased the support of Miyetti-Allah, described Tinubu and Shettima as the best candidates for the presidency.

In his response, Bodejo said that the association’s decision to endorse and support the candidacy of Tinubu/Shetima, was due to the group’s community engagement with stakeholders and community leaders across the country.

He urged the group to remain focused to ensure victory of the APC during the polls.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Defence/Security

Scouts begin nationwide campaign against organ harvesting, drug abuse

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Scout Association of Nigeria has revealed plan to embark on a nationwide campaign to educate the youth about the dangers of organ harvesting, drugs abuse and their negative effects.

The Chief Scout Commissioner of Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of the association, Mr Dave Padopads-Awunah, made the disclosure at a news conference on the forthcoming Nigeria Scout Parade and Presidential Award, on Thursday in Abuja.

Padopads-Awunah noted that with about 70 per cent of Nigerian population, the youth has enormous roles to play in contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on a sustainable basis.

“The Scout Association of Nigeria will take campaign to the nook and crannies of the country, recruiting the youngsters and grooming them to learn about the dangers of drug abuse and its negative effects on human capital development.

“We will also educate them on negative effects of drug abuse on the health of the nation at large as well as train them as peer influencers against drug abuse.

“Other areas on our strategic plan to the youths of Nigeria include campaign against human organ harvesting, trafficking, prostitution and child abuse, terrorism, fraud and criminality,”

He stressed the need for the Federal Government to make a policy for compulsory participation in scout activities in all public primary schools in the country.

The Scout Commissioner also urged the government to reinstate the policy of monthly subvention and grants to the 36 states Scout Councils and National Scout Organisation which was stopped almost three decades ago.

He lamented that scouting has over the years diminished to the disadvantage of young people and the nation.

According to him, the clear absence of the role of scouting in tailoring the minds of young people is clearly shown in the inexplicable crisis of youth mismanagement.

“Vices like secret cultism, terrorism, fraud, trafficking of vital human organs, drug abuse, trafficking of persons and prostitution have reduced Nigeria to a land of the unknown.”

On the forthcoming scout parade and presidential award, Padopads-Awunah explained that the event was the brainchild of the present scout administration to enhance cohesion among members.

According to him, the event will give the youth a window towards peace and capacity building, networking and synergy for the growth and overall development of the country.

“At the same occasion, we shall be launching two important projects of our administration.

“The Kit a Scout programme designed to attract our leaders in all areas of endeavor to provide uniforms for less privileged scouts in their respective communities.

“The Kit Scout programme is also designed create three million new young scouts across the length and breath of Nigeria by 2025.

“Secondly, is the Nigeria Scout Smart City Abuja with a design to seat on 1,000 hectares of land along Abuja Airport-Kaduna road,” Padopads-Awunah said. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Politics

APC’s candidate for Kogi Central senatorial district promises quality representation

By Stephen Adeleye

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial district, Malam Abubakar Ohere, has promised to ensure quality representation if elected.

He assured at a campaign rally in Ajaokuta, Kogi, that he would defend the rights of the people in the Senate if he emerged victorious.

Ohere gave similar assurances when Prince Suleiman Onyekehi, Deputy Director of Humanitarian and Social Services (North Central) of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, hosted him.

The Ohere campaign train earlier paid courtesy visits to traditional rulers including the Ohi of Ajaokuta, Alhaji Musa Achuja; the Adogu of Eganyi, Alhaji Mohammed Adambe; and the Ovanebira of Eganyi, Malam Idris Isiaka.

Ohere appreciated the traditional rulers and APC faithful for their show of love as they turned out en-masse to receive him in Ajaokuta.

He highlighted the numerous achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s APC-led administration in Ajaokuta such as the newly-built general hospital, rural electrification and provision of employment.

He listed Bello’s other achievements to include the grading and upgrading of traditional rulers, women and youths empowerment in agriculture, trades, and skills acquisition among others.

Ohere promised to build more on Gov. Bello’s legacies through quality legislative representation that would enhance the standard of living and the well-being of the people of Kogi Central.

He solicited the support of the people of Ajaokuta and the entire Kogi Central senatorial district who he enjoined to vote massively for him and for all APC candidates at the 2023 general elections.

Also addressing the rally, Onyekehi assured the people of Ajaokuta that APC-led administration would do more for them, and also appreciated Gov. Bello for his laudable achievements in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

On their part, Malam Abdulraheem Egidi and Malam Jibril Abu, APC candidates for Ajaokuta House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats respectively, promised quality and passionate representation if elected.

Traditional rulers present, in their separate remarks, appreciated Gov. Bello for his love for Ajaokuta people, and reaffirmed their support for his administration.

The Ohi of Ajaokuta, also Chairman of Ajaokuta Traditional Council, assured the candidates of Ajaokuta’s continuous support for Gov. Bello, stressing that the governor meant well for the community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

General News

Group seeks transportation policies for elderly persons

By Naomi Sharang

GreenLight Initiative, a non-profit organisation, on Wednesday, called on government at all levels to create policies that would aid the transportation needs of the elderly in the country.

The Executive Director of the group, Mr Simon Obi made the call in Abuja, at the presentation of Research Findings carried out on “Mobility, Transport, and Ageing in Low and Middle-Income Countries”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the research was conducted in Nigeria and Uganda and aimed at meeting the mobility needs of the elderly in selected cities.

NAN also reports that the event was organised by GreenLight Initiative in collaboration with Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo and Makerere University, Uganda.

Volvo Research and Educational Foundation (VREF) supported the project.

In his address, Obi urged the governments to understand that there was need to start planning and incorporating decisions that would benefit and protect the lives of older persons on the roads.

Obi said the study became imminent as available evidence suggests that not much work had been done regarding the mobility needs and safety of older persons.

He said that: “Lack of policies and lack of infrastructure are definitely affecting the older persons in Nigeria and we don’t have structures and infrastructure that supports their wellbeing in our cities.

“The government has to come in and do something urgently because this is an emergency situation. We are losing our older persons and we all will get old one day.

“This should compel urban developers and transport planners to put key and special consideration during designs.

“Inclusive mobility is an important initiative to directly consider in the initial stages of designing and developing mobility services.

“Our road designs, what we saw in these two countries indicated they do not support the right of the older persons.’

“So governments need to invest in infrastructure, they also need to provide the enabling environment for these category of persons to thrive to make a meaningful life.”

Also speaking, Dr Chinebuli Uzondu, a researcher/lecturer from the university said that the research had explored the mobility needs of older persons in Nigeria and Uganda.

“The study made us to understand their travel patterns, unravelled their travel patterns, transport options available to them, needs and barriers to active mobility.”

She, however, said that the research would address the issues around transport inequities and exclusions.

Similarly, Dr Paul Mukwaya, a senior lecturer Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda, said that the research had brought to the fore, the kind of transport inequalities that older persons experienced.

“It has also brought to the fore, transport policy gaps that exist at city and/or national scale.”(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Metro

NAHCON, IDB deepen economic cooperation

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and officials of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have agreed to deepen the economic cooperation between the two organisations.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure in a statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Hassan, during a meeting at the headquarters of the IDB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, stressed the need
for support and intervention of the bank in the areas of employment of Nigerians into the organisation.

The NAHCON boss also solicited the support of the bank to provide opportunities for Nigerians in seasonal slaughtering job, capacity-building, facilitation of the the take off of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN ) and the supply of medical equipment to the Clinics.

“Nigeria as one of the Muslims populated country, we require your support in poverty reduction efforts.

” Specifically, we want your intervention in the employment of Nigerians into the seasonal livestock slaughtering during the Hajj and the distribution of Hajj meat to Nigerians in the same way.

” We also need your assistance in capacity building of our staffers and supply of instructional as well as medical equipment for the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) and Clinic,” he stated.

Responding, the Deputy Coordinator General of the bank, Dr Umar Adiya, said that Nigeria had always been its partner and would be accorded a place of priority, adding that the commission’s request falls within the bank’s ambit.

He further stated the need to explore sustainable future of Hadaya project, if the bank must serve the purpose of its establishment.

Adiya said: ” If we must guarantee the future of Hadaya project, then NAHCON must strive to support and encourage pilgrims to participate and key into the scheme to sustain it.”

While acknowledging the existence of a “black market” as posing danger to the scheme, he said that the only way to win the fight against them was through education.

” The black market activities have been detrimental to the scheme, I know, but while they cannot be eliminated totally, education is the tool to fight them,” he declared. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited buy Bashir Rabe Mani

Defence/Security

NSCDC warns vandals to desist from dismantling public infrastructure

By Kelechi Ogunleye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned vandals to desist from the nefarious act of vandalising public infrastructure.

Mr Olusola Odumosu, NSCDC Director Public Relations told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the Corps had put in place measures to deal with culprits.

The director said it was worrisome that vandals have targeted pipelines, rail lines, manhole covers and bridges in their continued sabotage of national assets.

“ Vandalism of bridges constitutes great risks and dangers to the lives of users as they could fall to their untimely deaths unknowingly.
“A bridge could also collapse once it becomes weakened by the destruction of its various parts which makes it structurally deficient at some points.
“ The Federal government is investing heavily in infrastructural development in the country and has provided bridges amongst other public utilities to ensure safe mode of movement for citizens,” he said.
The director reiterated that NSCDC would intensify monitoring of all infrastructure and arrest of vandals across the country.
He enjoined citizens to join hands with security agencies in ensuring adequate protection and safety of lives and public infrastructure.
Odumosu said Nigerians should give useful and prompt information to the Corps and other security agencies to ensure proper protection of public assets.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Health

Guild seeks improved incentives for doctors, health workers

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

National Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) on Tuesday appealed to government at all levels to create an enabling environment and provide attractive incentives for doctors and other health workers.

Dr Raymond Kuti, President, GMD said this in a communique issued at the end of the guild’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The theme of the AGM was ‘ Human Resource Management for Healthcare:Challenges, Strategies and Opportunities.’

He said attractive incentives could make doctors and health workers who had left the country come back home.

“Poor working conditions and weak infrastructure with chronic underfunding are compounding the issue with increased workload and overwork for those who remain in service.

“Limited career opportunities for advancement compounded by political interference and the lack of performance-based promotion.

” This leads to low morale and poor attitude amongst the health workforce and the pervasive challenging political climate and insecurity is an important reason for uninhibited brain drain,” Kuti said.

He said the lack of adherence to the Commonwealth Code of Practice for International Recruitment of Health Workers made it easy for other countries to recruit medical professionals with impunity.

Kuti said the guild had however identified strategies that can be adopted by government and private sector organisations to retain doctors in Nigeria and curb brain drain.

Kuti sai’: ”One of such strategies is for the organisations to provide career advancement programmes and opportunities by investing in training, learning and development programs to keep abreast of new innovations.

“Develop and implement enhanced health sector salary and incentives schemes especially in deprived areas to improve quality of life.

“Skills such as effective communications, resilience, leadership, emotional intelligence, empathy, and quality assurance management must be actively taught to health professionals-starting early in schools.

” This will also help to improve communication channels and provide effective, ethical leadership and governance in healthcare institutions,” he said.

Kuti also said the Human Resources (HR) management was imperative to ease burnout and minimize dissatisfaction while improving work-life balance for healthcare professionals.

He said solutions to mitigate or reverse brain drain among healthcare workers in Nigeria must be practical and adopt a systemic approach, adding, ”there are short and long-term strategies.”

Kuti said the large contingent of health workers in the diaspora was a pool of great resources that the nation can still benefit from through skills transfer, mentorship and the use of technology.

He urged that innovative approaches to increasing the pool of health workers available should be explored.

“This includes elimination of roodblocks such as licensing of doctors that discourage middle-level doctors from coming back to Nigeria.

” Rehiring of retired physicians on retainership or contract hosis to fill in the gaps created by doctors who have left the country and to also use their wealth of experience to mentor younger doctors,” Kuti said.

He said the guild would engage with the government and all stakeholders in the implementation of the WHO policy on towns in advanced countries poaching healthcare workers from developing nations.

Kuti also said: ”The guild would promote multilateral negotiations between Nigeria and the key countries doctors and other health workers emigrate to so as to secure controlled emigration on more profitable terms for the country.

“Resuscitation of an abandoned exchange programme that allowed residents and other cadres of health workers to go overseas for a specified period for specialised training and then come back to give back.

“Likewise, Nigerian resident doctors in training in the diaspora should be able to come home for short, specialised training periods that will be counted as part of their training,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

APC alleges hired crowd at PDP rally in Kogi

By Stephen Adeleye

The All Progressive Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Kogi (KOSACC), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of hiring supporters from seven neighbouring states for its campaign rally held last Saturday in Kogi

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director of Media and Publicity of KOSACC, made the allegation at a news conference on Monday in Lokoja.

Fanwo, in his speech tagged, ”The Many Lies of PDP and its Traditional Illusions in Kogi State”, said that the PDP was dismayed by the poor turnout at the rally.

He claimed that PDP resorted to theatrics of rolling out expired individuals who had been expunged from the ranks of the APC for their unsavory deeds and characters as defectors and proceeded to canonise them.

”The rally turned into a farce when people like the former deputy Governor of the state, Elder Simeon Achuba and the former speaker of the state assembly, Rt Hon. Alfa Imam, were repackaged for Atiku as Kogi APC stalwarts who were decamping to the PDP at the rally.

”What Atiku and his entourage might not have known is that this is the same Achuba who was impeached from office by the state assembly for gross misconduct during the first term of the administration.

”Also, Rt Hon. Alfa Imam is another has-been, who has a running battle with his colleagues when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly. At the cusp of being impeached, he pleaded to be allowed to resign, ” he said

He claimed that the duo were no longer active members of the party and it won the 2019 landslide without them.

He stressed that the PDP campaign rally in Kogi was a shadow of itself, saying the umbrella circus did not need anyone to tell them that Kogi people have rejected them.

Fanwo stressed that it was painfully obvious that the former ruling party had been fittingly reduced to a shadow of itself in Kogi over the last seven years.

”We know that PDP brought a lot of people from seven neighbouring states for the campaign rally in Kogi.

”Talking about 148,000 defectors at Kogi rally by PDP is too ridiculous and not true.” Fanwo said.

Fanwo, who is the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, said there was no doubt that the Yahaya Bello led APC administration had changed the face of Kogi.

”The legacy projects executed, some of which were recently commissioned by Mr President, are too numerous to mention here.”

Fanwo also said that the pledge of Atiku to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company could only be classified as a ‘morbid joke’, which he (Atiku) must have made to insult the sensibilities of Kogi State and her people.

”President Muhammadu Buhari has taken a bold step on the gigantic project and we trust the President in Waiting, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to see the process through.

”The PDP flag bearer also assured the lecture theater crowd culled for him from seven states that he would win the 2023 Presidential polls. This is the illusion of the decade already, as he will be resoundingly defeated by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

”We are on course to deliver Kogi State massively for the All Progressives Congress and maintain the legacy of the party in the state under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.

”We urge our members to remain peaceful, law abiding and continue to work hard to ensure that we set a record with our numbers in the February and March polls”.

However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Austin Ochu,m, described the allegations of APC as the noise of a drowning party.

Ochu said, “the insinuation that we hired people from seven states is to ver strange and laughable because we have never for once engaged in such a merchandise.”

“By that press conference, APC is definitely threatened and jittery that the game is over for them as the people spoke last Saturday that they desperately want change. And the time for that change is now.

“Traditionally Kogi is a PDP State, we only faulted along the way but thank God we have gone back to the trenches and ready to make amend and take over the state this time around for the interest and good of our people.

“In fact, that is exactly what APC and are now going out flabbing around not knowing what to do as the difference and message is now very clear that the game is over, ” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Economy/Business

Max Air appoints Mangal as new CEO

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Management of Max Air Limited has approved the appointment of Alhaji Abubakar-Dahiru Mangal as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

A statement made available to newsmen by the company’s media officer on Monday in Abuja said that
the appointment followed the the death of the company’s CEO, Alhaji Bashir Barau Mangal.

Until his new appointment as CEO, Mangal was the Deputy Director of Finance of the Airline.

He holds Bsc Economic from the American University of Nigeria Yola, MSc International Business Salford, UK, MBA Finance and Investment Bayero University Kano (
and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in Business Administration at Apollos University in the United States.

“The management of Max Air is optimistic that the new CEO will bring his wealth of experience in the Aviation Industry to boost the growth of the company, focus on delivering exceptional customer service and expand the global reach of the Airline.

“We look forward to Alhaji Abubakar’s leadership in driving the Airline’s growth and success,” the statement added.

Max Air is a leading Airline in Nigeria with long years of operation in the domestic market and some West African countries, especially in the airlift of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Max Air is also a global charter Airline and was recently involved in the evacuation of stranded Nigerians from Libya, Ukraine and other countries.

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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