Salisu Sani Idris - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

WPFD : FAME Foundation warns against bullying women journalists

38 total views today

By Deji Abdulwahab

The FAME Foundation has warned against threats to life, stigmatisation, discrimination and cyber bullying of women journalists, urging government at all levels to protect them by all means.

Its Executive Director, Ms Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, gave the advice on Wednesday at a news conference held in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2023 (WPFD) in Abuja.

Ogunleye-Bello said the call became necessary as it would enable journalists to enjoy their right to freedom.

She praised women journalists in particular and called for an end to the bullying that some women journalists were facing.

“On this day, I celebrate journalists for their courage, passion, and determination to bring the news to every corner and nook of the earth.

“I particularly celebrate women journalists and ask for a stop to cyber bullying, threats to life, slut-shaming, and discrimination for doing their job.

“They have the right to practice journalism and report the news like any other person. The rights of women journalists are human rights, protect them,” Ogunleye-Bello said.

According to her, press freedom is the foundation of free speech, adding, ”if the press is allowed to speak freely, so would the general public.”

She added that marking the day should serve as a reminder to the government of their commitment to press freedom and media workers.

Ogunleye-Bello urged other media outlets and personnel to be vigilant and truthful in their duties, refrain from bribery, stop publishing false news and always defend their integrity.

Ogunleye-Bello expressed her excitement, love, and respect for the media and the tremendous expansion of media companies in Nigeria.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 every year and the theme 2023 is: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

Culture & Tourism

Indian community in Nigeria celebrates 100th episode of “Mann ki BAAT”

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By Taiye Olayemi

Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), Indian community in Nigeria, has celebrated the 100th episode of the nation’s “Mann ki BAAT”.

Mr Sanjay Srivastava, President of OFBJP, Nigeria chapter disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mann Ki Baat, which is in Hindi, means “Speaking from heart”

It is an Indian radio programme hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he addresses the people of the nation.

Srivastava said the programme, which began in Oct. 3, 2014, had become a key pillar of the government-citizen outreach programme addressing multiple social groups.

He said that the broadcast, usually done every last Sunday of the month, had its 100th episode held in April 30, 2023.

Srivastava noted that the platform had enabled the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi speak directly with every Indian across the globe through radio broadcast.

According to him, the women, youths and farmers are all addressed and the engagement has spurred various community action.

“We celebrated the 100th episode of Mann ki BAAT because for us, it is historic.

“Mann ki BAAT is a platform we have enjoyed since 2014 and our Prime Minister has been able to boost Indians’ confidence in his governance.

“For us, it is a celebration of unity, peace and harmony among Indians across the globe and we look forward to this.

“The radio broadcast was held in 10 locations within Nigeria like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Abuja and more,” he said.

Srivastava urged all Indians to embrace and appreciate the qualities of others as advised by Prime Minister Modi.

Modi said, “Friends, for me, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has been like worshipping the qualities in others. I had a guide – Shri Laxmanrao ji Inamdar.

“We used to address him as Vakeel Saheb.

“He always used to say that we should worship the qualities of others.

“No matter who is face to face with you, be it your compatriot, be it your opponent, we should try to know about their good qualities and learn from them.

“This trait of his has always inspired me. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a great medium to learn from the qualities of others,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Vivian Ihechu

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

Education

Forum seeks sustainable mentorship of students

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By Angela Atabo

The Princeton Leadership Forum on Wednesday called for sustainable mentorship of students and young people with a view to position them to be great future leaders of Nigeria.

Dr Chibuike Echem, president of the forum (PLF), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of a Leadership class for the Students and Prefects of Britach Secondary school, Lugbe-Abuja.

Echem said the leadership masterclass was the forum’s first edition booth camp targeted at prefects of secondary schools across the country to empower the students with the requisite leadership skills for effective engagement.

He said: “We believe there is need for us to begin to focus effort towards the re-engineering of our leadership architecture in Nigeria, how we breed and produce our leaders.

“We believe that it is time for us to begin to create a mentorship structure to impact young people.

“For example, what you have here are prefects from different schools coming together to be thought on problem solving, emotional intelligence among others.

“So, what Princeton is doing is bridging the leadership gap by bringing these young people together and teaching them these foundational principles of leadership.

“This is because it is said that everything rises and falls on leadership because a healthy nation is a product of the structure of her leadership.”

Mrs Hauwa Shehu, Co-Founder/Business Development Officer, Noor pain De vie Services Ltd, said that the students were taught on how to interpret their emotions as well as those of the people around them.

She said: “This programme being held by Princeton gives them the best opportunity to become the best leaders that they could be in the future.

“Sorting them out young is the best move that anybody can make.

“We keep talking about changing Nigeria, and we need to start while they are still young so that the leaders that turn up tomorrow will be better than what we have today.

“This is probably the best move you can make for any child in life. Start them out young, teach them how to be better persons, teach them how to master their emotions and teach them how to lead better and you would have done your job as parents.”

Mr Chibuzo Okereke, Legislative and Policy Expert Leadership Coach, said the aim of the event was to catch young people early to inculcate leadership skills in them.

“Leadership is critical worldwide to building nations, societies and families.

“So, we designed this programme specially to target young leaders who may not even understand what leadership is about but they found themselves in leadership positions.

“This boot camp is to equip them with relevant skills and principles of leadership, emotional intelligence, problem solving skills, personal and interpersonal relationships, and communication skills among others,” he added.

Some of the participants who spoke with NAN commended the organisers of the programme for the initiative.

Miss Kamsi Okafor, Head Girl, Britach Secondary School, Abuja said she learnt a lot from the boot camp and would apply the knowledge positively.

“I have learnt a lot; I learnt about how the power of your behaviour affects leadership, how not to be a dictator, how to carry people along and its a good experience.

“I believe that if I keep following this trajectory wherever I go in life I will keep on prospering,” she said.

Mr Clement Desmond, Head Boy of the school commended the forum for the initiative and promised to apply the knowledge in his future endeavours. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

Politics

FG urges Senate to direct query on N6trn unpaid ground rent to OSGF

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By Naomi Sharang

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has urged the Senate Ad hoc Committee investigating the N6 trillion unpaid ground rent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Fashola said this when the Senate ad hoc committee chaired by Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) visited the ministry on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had on March 29, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate and recover the over N6 trillion accrued from the non-payment of ground rent from property owners across the country.

The motion was moved by Sen. Yusuf Yusuf (PDP-Taraba).

Fashola, during the meeting, told the Senate committee that the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) that issued receipts on the property, was under the purview of the SGF and not his ministry.

The minister said that he only knew about the activities of the PIC after requests were forwarded to him to sign Certificate of Occupancy on the property.

He said, “About two years or so when they started passing C-of-Os to me to sign and I said where is the delegation. Because the power to sign C-of-Os are vested in the President for land belonging to federal government and in the state governors for lands belonging to the states.

“In the process, I saw a body called the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC), the body that was supposedly issuing receipts and all of that. Anytime I sought to find this body, nobody showed up.

“As we are getting close to the end of term, I now formally wrote, I asked the Director of Lands to write them, to ask to tell me what they are doing.

“They (PIC) replied that they are not accountable to our office and they are in the SGF office and that they report to the presidency.

“So, as far as your letter seeks to ask us to account for the PIC, they don’t report to us.

“I will advise that you direct your enquires about what the PIC does to the SGF since the organisation does not report to me, I cannot account for them.”

He said that most of the C-of-Os that he had signed were the pending requests dating back to 15, 20 years.

“In the last few years, some CofOs that have come to me, I have issued queries about them about the way payment was done,” he said.

Aliero, while briefing reporters after the meeting, said that his panel would engage the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) over the disposal of federal government ground rent next week.

He said that about N18 billion had been recovered and that efforts are being made to collect the balance.

Aliero said: “They explained to us how much has been collected so far. They have close to N18 billion and efforts are been made to collect the remaining money.

“Within the next three weeks, we will come back for an update. I’m sure they will be able to collect whatever is due to the federal government on all federal government property either sold or still under the hold of the federal government,”he said.

He assured that his committee would unravel all the property owned and sold by the Federal Government in various states and FCT and the payment mode of the ground rent.

“You will agree with me that in this era of revenue shortfall and federal government is trying to diversify all sorts of revenue other than oil. When they hear N6 trillion, definitely, a lot of attention will be given to it.

“I know the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is doing its best to diversify revenue collection. We have a nominal increase from N800 billion in 2017 to over N5 trillion now.

“If we have ground rent added to it, certainly it will reduce incidence of borrowing by the federal government.”(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

Politics

FCT REC bows out of service, attributes successes to God, teamwork

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By Angela Atabo

Malam Yahaya Bello, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the FCT bowed out of service on Tuesday, attributing his successes in office to God and teamwork .

Bello. during a retirement party at the FCT INEC on Tuesday in Abuja, thanked God and INEC staff members for playing a major role in his journey as REC.

”I did not have the monopoly of power and knowledge. I brought everybody on-board to work s a team to be able to achieve lot.

“We worked together as brothers and sisters here and everybody was taken along.

“That was my secret. It was a matter of team work and dedication to this work.

” I also appreciate the supervision of Almighty God. Most of all, I was privileged to have participated in the conduct of elections in 1963 as an ad hoc staff in 1983 I was an EO, then I came to INEC in 2018,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Agness Akpe, Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department of INEC FCT described Bello as an enigma.

”He is a wonderful man who worked hard to make INEC FCT what it is today. Bello is a Godly person who believes in what the Holy books says and stands by it regardless of the circumstances on ground.

“When you come across him the first time, you will say this man is just strict and unesscerarliy efusy but he is actually kind, caring,intelligent and sound.

“He can recall things that happened so many years ago to the last detail and he is very articulate, he can talk on any subject matter at anytime,” she said.

She said that Bello was a wonderful person and who will be truly missed.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Thu, 2023

Economy/Business

SMEDAN trains 30 MSMEs in FCT on product standards, quality improvement

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has trained 30 owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on product standards and quality improvement.

The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasaya said that the training would contribute to the economic development of the country.

Fasanya, represented by the agency’s Director of Enterprises Development and Promotion, Mr Monday Ewans, said that the programme was facilitated by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

According to him, with an estimated 39.6 million MSMEs accounting for 46. 3 per cent of GDP and 87.9 per cent of total employment, it is pertinent that the development of MSME sub-sector is at the forefront of the national development agenda.

While recognising some of the challenges confronting MSMEs in the country and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, Fasanya said “it is for this reason that the training is crucial.

“Part of the complexities that the post-pandemic era has added are in the areas of regulations, technology use or adoption and access to markets among others.

“This training is therefore another opportunity to enrich our MSMEs and ensure that their products are of good quality and compliant with relevant regulations.

“I urge all relevant agencies to build the capacities of Nigerian MSMEs so they can take advantage of every open window,’’ he said.

The SMEDAN boss expressed optimism that participants would improve on the quality of their products, increase their knowledge of export market standards, certification and regulations.

He commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for the support to the programme and urged participants to apply the lessons learnt to improve and place their products on the global marketplace.

Also speaking, Mrs Azuka Ogundeji, Trade Adviser, Trade Competitiveness Section of the Commonwealth Secretaria reiterated that the role of MSMEs in the nation’s economic growth could not be over emphasised.

“They are key drivers of employment, provide decent jobs and entrepreneurship for women and youths and play a critical role in reducing poverty levels and closing the gender gap in the economy and society.

“The global e-commerce market is one of the fastest growing in the world, but Nigeria ranks 35th in the list of largest e-commerce markets.

“This training aims to create awareness on branding, packaging, product standards and national and international regulations,” Ogundeji said.

She further expressed optimism that the training would create an opportunity for the participants to learn, interact and broaden their perspectives.

A participant, Ms Justina Agbor said, “I am a fashion designer and hope to expand on my business.

“So, I am here with an open mind to learn a lot of things on how to rebrand and expand my business and ensure my business enters the global market.

“I am very confident that this training would avail me with the opportunity to achieve my dream and I thank the organisers for this opportunity”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 18 of the participants are into garment and leather while 12 are involved in agro processing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ikenna Uwadileke/Sadiya Hamza

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Wed, 2023

Culture & Tourism

Mahindi Carnival: Abisogun-Botoku seeks seamless travels within ECOWAS

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By Taiye Olayemi

Dr Bonny Abisogun-Botoku, Secretary-General, Nigeria-Republic of Benin Inter-border Forum, has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote policies that will ensure seamless travels within the region.
Abisogun-Botoku, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said that it was high time ECOWAS leaders facilitated free movement of people as enshrined in the regional protocol.
“Beyond the rhetoric, ECOWAS leaders must be committed to the treaty signed by all parties.
“Activities on regional integration, growth and development should be taken as seriously as possible to entrench regional growth.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the secretary-general made the call at the maiden Mahindi Carnival held from April 28 and May 1 at Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire.
The secretary-general praised the organisers of the carnival, emphasising the need for regional integration through tourism and cultural promotion.
He noted that the carnival was initiated by the International House of the Agneby-Tiassa Region (MIRAT), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Regional Council.
Abisogun-Botoku, who doubles as the Leader of the Africa Integration Arts Palace and Tour Cultural Troupe, expressed satisfaction that the troupe projected Nigeria well in cultural performances.
He said that the troupe celebrated Nigeria’s culture, showcasing some of the cultural heritage of its various tribes and reinforcing the need for harmonious living among the ethnic groups.
He praised the Ivorian Minister of Health Pierre N’gou Dimba, for his passion for art and culture.
He noted that countries that participated in the carnival included Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Martinique.
Earlier, the Ivorian Minister of Health, Dimba, expressed delight at the exhibition of talents by troupes at the event.
The carnival featured singing, fanfares, storytelling and cultural performances from participating countries. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Ijeoma Popoola

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Wed, 2023

Metro

2023 Hajj: FCT begins visa processing for intending pilgrims

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards says it has commenced the process of securing visa
for 2023 intending Muslim pilgrims from the territory.

The Director of the board, Malam Abubakar Evuti, made this known at a news conference on activities of the organisation
and preparations for this year’s hajj on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said “so far, a total of 3,651 intending Muslim pilgrims have completed payment of hajj fare and the board has since
continued with the process of securing their visa.

“And as soon as the portal is open, we shall commence the application and printing of their visa for the holy journey.”

He disclosed that the board had concluded arrangements for screening of intending pilgrims to ascertain their health status
and capability of performing the Hajj.

According to him, the screening will start on Friday, May 5, 2023 with intending pilgrims from Bwari Area Council and
Headquarters, followed by those from Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils on Saturday, May 6.

He added that those who registered through Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area councils, as well as those
under the Hajj Savings Scheme would be screened on Sunday, May 7, 2023 respectively.

He called on other intending Muslim pilgrims who had yet to complete their payments to do so on or before Monday, May 8.

He said that the board had already secured befitting accommodations for intending pilgrims around Hafair area in Makkah
that are of short distances to the holy Masjid (Masjid Al Haram).

This, according to him, is within the range approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Evuti stated that arrangements with caterers and other service providers in Saudi Arabia have been signed and sealed.

He revealed that one of the innovations introduced by the board for this year’s hajj was to allow intending pilgrims to choose the flight they intend to travel with.

This, according to him, will curtail the challenge of No-Show experienced by the board in 2022 during the transportation to Saudi Arabia.

He warned that any pilgrim who refused to show up for his or her flight would be sanctioned by the board and may even result to forfeiting the trip this year.

“I would like to use this medium to reaffirm the readiness of the board and indeed the FCT Administration in ensuring that intending pilgrims from the territory
get the best services ever in Hajj exercises in line with the best global practice.

“Necessary measures have been put in place to record more successes in the operation even though each hajj exercise come with its peculiarities.”

He commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary of FCTA,
Mr Olusade Adesola and Director, Human Resources, FCTA, Malam Muhammad Bashir, for their support to the board.

He also expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the board who have been putting in their best to ensure the success of hajj operations in accordance to the mandate of organising hitch-free holy trip over the years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Wed, 2023

Culture & Tourism

Create sole ministry for tourism, culture – FTAN tells President-elect

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By Taiye Olayemi

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) on Tuesday urged the incoming President, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to create a sole ministry for tourism and culture, once he assumes office.

Mr Nkereuwem Onung, FTAN President, made the call in Abuja during a creative stakeholder’s meeting organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

The meeting had as its theme: “Culture, Peace and National Rebirth: An Agenda Setting”.

Onung said that it was important to separate the tourism and culture industry from information to give room for growth in the creative sector.

According to him, tourism and culture industry would have thrived better if separated from the ministry of information as currently obtained.

“I want to seize this opportunity to plead with the incoming president to separate the ministry of information from culture and tourism.

“We want a stand alone ministry for tourism and culture so that proper attention can be given to the creative space, such that will engender remarkable growth.

“The combination of culture and information has hindered the growth of the culture and tourism industries over the years because more attention has been drawn toward information so much.

“We also plead that individuals appointed to head government parastatals within the tourism and culture industries should be made accountable while in office to ensure growth, novices should not be engaged,” he said.

Also Mr Israel Eboh, National President, National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), harped on the need for the incoming President to work unanimously with stakeholders in the culture and tourism industry, to ensure that the nation’s cultural values were upheld.

Eboh noted that the problems confronting the nation in terms of lack of unity was due to the fact that Nigerians had lost their cultural values.

He, however, called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) to wake up to their responsibilities of upholding the nation’s cultural values.

“Agenda setting is absolutly necessary as we move into the next administration.

“The incoming administratiom need to pay attention to all elements of our culture, in storytelling, dancing, songs and all.

“NOA, NICO and other cultural parastatals need to be deliberate and systematic in cultural re-orientation in the incoming administration,” he said.

Television analyst, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, urged Nigerians generally to be totally committed to building a better nation in view of culture collapse the nation is experiencing.

Kolade-Otitoju also advised the President-elect to reduce cost of governance to make remarkable progress in nation-building.

He noted that if Nigeria could have three good successive leaders, the nation would be great again. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Salisu Sani Idris
May, Wed, 2023

Culture & Tourism

NCAC advises youths against ‘Japa syndrome’

85 total views today

By Taiye Olayemi

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has advised Nigerian youths to shun the ‘Japa syndrome’, saying it does not guarantee shortcut to affluence.

Mr Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, NCAC, gave the advice during a tourism and culture stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

The meeting meant to set agenda for the incoming government, had as its theme: “Culture, Peace and National Rebirth: An Agenda Setting”.

Runsewe gave instances where some youths travel abroad to embrace menial jobs which they found difficult to practice in Nigeria.

He said it was high time the ‘japa syndrome’ was addressed as he urged the youth to remain creative and work on being self employed.

He noted that traveling abroad did not give room for automatic affluence.

“It is our duty to culturally guide the country, our youths are frustrated due to the state of the economy but it is not enough to travel out of the country to embrace menial jobs when they can stay and be creative to create wealth.

“There is the growing feeling of alienation among the vast majority of our youths, manifesting in various forms of restiveness and the internationalisation and exhibition of vices that are at variance with our culture.

“We need to wake up to this reality and ensure the situation is promptly corrected as government and parents,” he said

Runsewe noted that the meeting was deliberately planned to guide the incoming government on what to be done in the cultural sector.

He said three garmane issues were addressed: the Japa syndrome, religious intolerance and violence as well as the need for cultural rebirth.

He appealed to Nigerian leaders at all levels to work as a team in providing the enabling social environment for the development of the nation by preaching peace, living in peace and working together in peace.

Also, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), said , “there is no greener pasture anywhere, the youth only need to be appropriately skilled to be self employed.

“The observation is also that the youth are too proud to embrace the reality; wasting their future abroad; their choice of greener pasture can be created here in Nigeria as they embrace various skills.”

Earlier, Mrs Rebecca Ede, Chief Executive Officer, Hadid Consult, said government’s assistance and urgent intervention was needed to position the youth to know what they have to project for wealth creation.

She advised that internet fraudsters should also be harnessed for rehabilitation and reorientation.

She urged the youth to constantly upgrade themselves with some globally transferrable skills.
According to her, these skills refer to abilities or knowledge that extend beyond a specific role, function or profession

“The youth can empower themselves with power skills, also known as transferable skills like: problem solving, critical thinking, project management, relationship building, communication skills and technology skills.
“All these can be developed and served from Nigeria as they dominate the universe from home.
“These skills have the potential to be applied in various contexts, industries, or job functions, making them highly sought-after by employers worldwide.
“Possessing these skills can be an invaluable asset and can help you succeed, no matter where your career takes you. The good news is that developing these skills is straightforward, and they can be applied to any career path,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran