NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Health

Sexual offence initiative trains 257 men advocates

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By Dorathy Aninge

A non-governmental organisation — Sexual Offence Awareness and Response Initiative — says it has trained no fewer than 257 persons as male gender advocates in various internally displaced persons camps (IDPs) in Benue.

The programme officer of the organisation, Mr Chibuzor Njoku, announced this at the quarterly meeting of the Benue Child’s Right Implementation Committee on Thursday.

Chibuzor noted that the training was done on the platform of the Young Men Advocate Programme Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence Y-map Activities.

He further said that another programme — Girls Empowerment Mentoring Programme(GEMS Arise) — trained no fewer than 381 displaced adolescent girls/mother’s as female mentors in the IDP camps.

Sexual Offences Awareness and Victims Rehabilitation Initiative was set up in 2011 by a survivor of child sexual abuse to prevent and respond to the prevalence of various forms of sexual violence and exploitation against children.

The organisation is currently working on a programme to address child marriage in the north central part of the country.

It is dedicated to the prevention of all forms of child sexual abuse as well as provide care and support for victims and survivors.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Metro

Hajj: NAHCON urges compliance with Saudi health guidelines

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday urged members of the 2023 Hajj National Medical Team to comply with the Saudi Arabian health guidelines for operation.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the call while inaugurating the 230 members of the National Medical Team, at Hajj House, in Abuja.

Hassan also advised the team against infractions of Saudi Arabian health regulations during the operation.

He said the medical team was the first committee to be inaugurated for the 2023 Hajj because of the importance the commission attached to medical issue.

“The first thing we all need to comply with is to ensure total compliance with the Saudi Arabian health guidelines. As far as Saudi Arabia is concern, it will not tolerate any infractions on their guidelines.

“I am sure the leadership of the National Medical Team is fully aware of this and they will adhere to that. I don’t need to remind you of your medical ethics which you are aware yourselves.

“There is going to be much work in this year’s hajj because we have been given a quota of 95,000 Hajj slots which means more work for the members of the medical team,’’ he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the team and Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Sheikh Suleiman Momoh, said that the selection of members of the team was very rigorous.

“Having been chosen, you have to display your capacity that you are fit for the job. One thing that I want to sound to us is that the management of the commission will not tolerate any officer leaving his duty post.

“Over 10,000 people applied to be part of the 2023 hajj medical team so you must prove that you worth it,’’ he said.

Also, the NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji-Hardawa, urged members of the team to take their responsibility seriously.

“Whether you are a monitor or not, Allah is watching you. Any acts of negligence, Allah knows better. The chairman of NAHCON may not be aware but Allah is watching you,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi

General News

Centre engages stakeholders on improved courts management reporting

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By Jessica Dogo

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has engaged stakeholders on the improvement of courts management reporting.

This came to the fore at a two-day workshop tagged: “Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building Training”, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Chairman, National Programme Coordinator for the Court Admi ofre nistration Management (CACM) Project, Dr Oluwatoyin Badejogbin said there had been challenges of managing court cases efficiently and in a timely manner.

Badejogbin said the project sought to adress these challenges by helping courts and departments of public prosecutions to work more efficiently.

This, he said, was with the hope that such efficiencies can improve the output of courts and help to further decongest courts.

Badejogbin said that the organisation would look at the implementation of other interventions that would strengthen case management and help speed up cultural processes through digital recording devices.

“All across courts in the country, we experience challenge of managing cases efficiently and in a timely manner.

“We are looking at implementing a whole range of interventions that will not only strengthen case management, but will help to speed up courts processes through digital recording devices.

“The practice has been that judges write in long hand and that contributes a whole lot of delays in cases so by introducing recording devices, we hope to bring down the delay considerably.

“We also want to strengthen the capacity to manage a couple of courts very efficiently so that we don’t have cases of records being lost,” he said.

The Board Chairman, PPDC, Chibuzo Ekwekwo said the project was already implemented in three states, adding that new states will soon benefit from the programme.

“The states themselves will also invest and take up the programme and improve its expansion across the judicial systems.

“We have to help the court systems improve their manual process because without improving the manual process, digitising becomes difficult.

“The next step is to deploy the infrastructure to digitise the process and have a full impact of using the new system,” he said.

Mr Jibril Shittu, Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, said that the effect of the project on justice was in a way that justice would no longer be delayed but accelerated.

“It is very important because we see the potential impact on the lives of the average citizens.

“When we talk about efficiencies in court systems and processes, court administration scheduling in our various judicial offices and systems need to improve,” he said.

Executive-Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Nasarawa State, Yahaya Shafa said some of the challenges faced were lack of facilities in court rooms Nigeria.

“This project will help us do better case management, help in acquiring evidence and all these will lead to better administration of criminal justice,”he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CACM project is a pilot that is being implemented in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States.

The project seeks to improve access to and the dispensation of justice for Nigerians, enhance citizens’ interaction with the government and law using transparency tools. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

Foundation tasks Tinubu, governors-elect on appointing PWDs to key positions

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By Angela Atabo

The Albino Foundation (TAF Africa) has tasked the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu and governors-elect to appoint Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as ministers and commissioners.

Mr Jake Epelle, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer ,TAF Africa said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Epelle also advised Tinubu to incorporate PWDs into his transition committee as there was non in the committee presently.

He said that at the onset of preparations for the 2023 general elections, TAF Africa through its European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria II programme built the capacity of PWDs to contest for elective positions.

He said that although none of the engaged PWD candidates was successful at the polls, their willingness to contest was a strong message that PWDs were capable of contesting for elections and will be willing to perform when given the opportunity.

“With the end of the 2023 general elections and the emergence of elected individuals, an opportunity to drive disability inclusion and strengthen the political voices of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s political process has been birthed.

“These elected individuals have a duty to entrench disability inclusion in their governance by making their political appointments disability inclusive.

“By being appointed as ministers, commissioners, heads of parastatals, special advisers, among others , PWDs are empowered to take their place alongside other citizens in affecting wide-ranging policies as it affects disability inclusion.

“As it is said “Nothing About Us Without Us” relies solely on the principle of participation, no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group affected by that policy.

“Hence the need for disability inclusion in every sphere of governance,” he said.

Epelle expressed disappointment that in spite of the disability inclusion interventions at the national level, the transition committee of the president-elect had no representation of the community of PWDs.

He said that this could have been a unique opportunity to break down social stigmas by ensuring that PWDs appear alongside other citizens as active participants in the transition process of the president-elect.

“As the world beams its torchlight on disability inclusion in electoral processes, we call on the President-elect, Governor-elect, and all elected individuals in the thirty-six (36) states of the federation including the federal capital territory to take the opportunity.

“This ,is to collaborate and commit to driving disability inclusion in their governance, by appointing persons with disabilities to become political office holders in their respective states,” he said.

Epelle also encouraged all elected individuals to priorities the appointment of persons with disabilities who contested for positions during the 2023 general elections but could not make it at the polls.

He said that the political appointments of PWDs should not be based just on their disability status but on their capacity and competence to drive positive change in public office irrespective of their disability status.

He said that Section 29 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 provided that all employers of labour in a public organisation should as much as possible have PWDs constituting at least five per cent of their employment.

He said that the war against discrimination against PWDs would only be won when institutions, government, and the people collectively collaborate, say no to nuances of discrimination, and actively campaign for the rights of PWDs, thereby building an equitable society for all. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Metro

No state has right to increase 2023 Hajj fare – NAHCON

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) declared on Wednesday in Abuja that no state has the right to increase Hajj fares.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the declaration at a meeting with chief executive officers of states pilgrim’s welfare boards, agencies and commissions.

Hassan explained that the 2023 Hajj fares announced by the Commission were agreed upon by all the 36 states and FCT chief executive officers after due diligence and consideration of all variables.

He added that it was also agreed that inaugural flight for the 2023 Hajj would take place on May 21.

He said also that NAHCON would review Hajj seats allocations to states on April 28 in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

“We are making April 28 to be our final day to review Hajj seats allocations. Some states are asking for more seats, while others have not exhausted their slots.

“Those that are asking for more seats will be able to get them by the end of work on Friday and those who are unable to exhaust their slots will have to surrender them,’’ he said.

Hassan added that April 28 remained the deadline for 2023 Hajj fare remittances by the 36 states pilgrims boards, agencies and commissions.

He said that NAHCON would work with any amount of money remitted by the Friday deadline and subsequently sign agreements for the transportation of the 2023 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia based on that number.

He explained that 50 per cent down payment was expected to be made to air carriers upon the signing of agreement while another 35 per cent would follow after deployment of aircraft for the transportation of pilgrims.

NAHCON announced eight different 2023 Hajj fares regime on April 7 showing different fares between the northern parts and southern parts of the country.

Pilgrims at Maiduguri and Yola departure centres in the Northeast will pay N2.9 million, including their 800 dollars Basic Travel Allowance.

For other states in the northern parts, pilgrims would pay N2.91 million.

In the south, Edo pilgrims and those from the South-South and Southeast geopolitical zones would pay N2.97 million.

Those from Ekiti and Ondo states would pay N2.9 million, while Osun pilgrims would pay N2.993 million; Cross River has the cheapest rate in the south with N2.94 million.

Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states pilgrims would pay N2.99 million. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Alli Hakeem

Religious

2023 Hajj: FCT begins medical screening for intending pilgrims on May 5

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it will commence medical screening for the 2023 Hajj intending pilgrims from May 5 to May 7.

The Director of the Board, Malam Abubakar Evuti, announced this in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the board, Malam Muhammad Aliyu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Evuti also disclosed that the inoculation exercise for all the intending pilgrims would be conducted from May 15 to May 17, 2023, in line with the procedure for the trip to Saudi Arabia.

He advised intending pilgrims to participate in all activities earmarked by the board for proper guidance to get value for their money without any hindrance.

The director however warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to return their completed application forms or submit their International Passports to do so.

This, according to him, will enable the board fast track the process of obtaining their travel documents in good time before the commencement of airlift to Saudi Arabia.

Evuti said that the board would commence the second phase of education and orientation exercise for intending pilgrims on April 29 to April 30.

The director explained that activities have been outlined to actualise the success of the operation and ensure that intending pilgrims are well prepared for the spiritual journey to the holy land of Saudi Arabia.

He sassured that intending pilgrims would get the rudiments of performing Hajj in order to have value for their hard-earned money paid to perform the religious obligation.

Evuti disclosed that intending pilgrims who paid through Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils as well as those who registered through the Hajj Saving Scheme would be trained on April 29.

“While those who registered through the Headquarters, Bwari, Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Councils would have their orientation exercise on April 30 at the Permanent Hajj Camp located at Bassan Jiwa, close to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

He said that Islamic scholars and relevant stakeholders have already been mobilised for the exercise scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. on April 30.

He added that the phased orientation exercises would enable the intending pilgrims get enlightened on the Hajj rites as well as guidelines and new policies introduced for this year’s Hajj by the Saudi authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Features

What gains for Sub-Saharan Africa from Bretton Woods Institutions’ 2023 Spring Meetings?

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News Analysis by Okeoghene Akubuike, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between April 10 and April 16 converged on Washington DC for their Annual Spring meetings.

The meetings brought together central banks, international financial institutions, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organisations, and academics to discuss global economy issues.

It held amidst international efforts to stimulate global economy dampened by post-COVID-19 crisis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food shortages and climate-related challenges.

The meeting focused on agriculture and food insecurity, economic recovery, increasing fragility, conflict, and violence, climate change and debt, empowering women entrepreneurs, and the importance of private capital in sustainable development, among others.

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook Update Report for April 2023: “A Rocky Recovery”, released at the meetings shows global growth is projected to bottom out at 2.8 per cent in 2023 before rising modestly to 3.0 per cent in 2024.

The report showed that advanced economies were expected to see a growth slowdown from 2.7 per cent in 2022 to 1.3 per cent in 2023.

While the outlook growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is expected to slow to 3.6 per cent in 2023 as a “big funding squeeze”, tied to the drying up of aid and access to private finance, hits the region.

The report said the slowdown and subsequent rebound to 4.2 per cent in 2024 in SSA was in line with global recovery, subsiding inflation, and a winding down in monetary policy tightening.

According to the report, this will be the second consecutive year that SSA will record a lower rate of growth than the previous year.

Abebe Selassie, Director, African Department, IMF, while speaking at the new conference on the SSA Regional Economic Outlook during the meetings, said some countries, particularly those in the East African Community bloc, or non-oil resource-intensive countries, were expected to fare better.

He said Nigeria’s economy, a major oil exporter in Africa, was expected to grow by 3.2 per cent in 2023, down from 3.6 per cent in 2022, and projected growth to slow to 3.0 in 2024.

“The rapid tightening of global monetary policy has raised borrowing costs for SSA countries both on domestic and international markets.

“All Sub-Saharan African frontier markets have been cut off from market access since Spring 2022″, he said.

Selassie said the US dollar effective exchange rate reached a 20-year high last year, increasing the burden of dollar-denominated debt service payments.

He also said if measures were not taken, the” funding squeeze” will hamper Sub-Saharan’s efforts to build a skilled and educated population and to be the driving force of the global economy in years to come.

“First, it is important to consolidate public finances and strengthen public financial management amid difficult funding conditions.

“Second is containing inflation. Monetary policy should be steered cautiously until inflation is firmly on a downward trajectory and projected to return to the central bank’s target range.

“Third is allowing the exchange rate to adjust, while mitigating the adverse effects on the economy, including the rise in inflation and debt due to currency depreciations”, he said.

World Economic Outlook, April 2023: A Rocky Recovery

World Economic Outlook April 2023. Source: International Monetary Fund.

Mr David Malpass, World Bank Group President, said the diversion of natural gas to Europe presented grave obstacles to developing countries’ production of electricity, fertilizer, and food.

“These problems are severely constraining future growth and deepening inequality and fragility for developing countries.

“I travelled to West Africa in March, where we are working to provide support in the face of these problems”, he said.

Malpsss, during a news conference in the course of the meetings called on the incoming government in Nigeria to tackle trade protection that blocks importation; address dual exchange rates; and diversify the economy to achieve shared prosperity and sustainable growth.

The Bank’s President said in the Group’s forecast, Nigeria’s growth was 3.3 per cent in 2022 and 2.8 per cent in 2023.

Malpass went on to advise policymakers in Nigeria and other SSA countries to focus on policies that would enhance inclusive growth.

Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF, and Mr Olavo Correia, Cape Verde’s Finance Minister and Chair of the African Caucus in a joint statement after the meetings, said strengthening social protection is key to Africa’s development.

They also said leveraging digital infrastructure, such as mobile phone platforms, could help to increase efficiency and ensure social support was well targeted to the most vulnerable.

The group said in shock-prone environments such as Africa building resilience, including to climate change, remained fundamental.

“Mobilising additional external financing to support the recovery remains critical”, they said.

Georgieva said IMF was aware of the implications of external debt on the economy of African nations particularly the SSA countries would continue to provide technical assistance to them to mitigate the impact.

“The IMF continues to explore ways to make debt resolution more efficient. To this end, the IMF, together with the World Bank and the India G20 Presidency, have launched a Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable.

“The IMF remains steadfastly committed to the region and continues to work towards ensuring that its concessional lending toolkit for low-income countries is flexible, effective, and well-resourced.

“The Resilience and Sustainability Trust is now operational, providing longer-term affordable financing to address longer-term challenges, including climate change and pandemic preparedness.

“Rwanda is one of the first beneficiaries, with several other countries in the pipeline”, she said.

Nadia Calviño, the Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee said the meetings resolved enhanced commitment by members to ” coordinate our economic policies and to reinforce our global financial safety net.

“The meetings also resolved to work together in a constructive manner to deliver on our shared roadmap as we start the road to the Annual Meetings in Marrakesh.

The meetings have outlined and suggested pragmatic policies for the SSA region to cushion the effects of the global crisis as well as build external resilience and ensure sustainable growth.

Experts say the onus is on the governments and policymakers in the region to tailor these policies based on their peculiar challenges to steer the continent on the right economic trajectory.

They say it is also important for Bretton Woods Institutions to effectively implement resolutions at their meeting to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Culture & Tourism

South Africa is open for tourism, says Consul-General

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By Taiye Olayemi

Dr Bobby Moroe, South African Consul-General in Lagos, on Saturday called on Nigerians to choose South Africa as their preferred tourist destination.

Moroe made the call during the South Africa Week, held in Lagos, to celebrate the country’s 29th anniversary of democratic rule as well as bilateral and diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

According to the Consul-General, South Africa is  a suitable country to visit for business, conferencing, tourism, education and leisure.

“Today, we are celebrating the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, we are also celebrating 29 years of democracy in South Africa.

“We have chosen to celebrate in Nigeria to appreciate the role Nigeria has played in struggle for South Africans’  liberation.

“South Africa will never forget the role Nigeria has played in its liberation agenda, so this is how we show our appreciation.

“Today is the begining of a new journey in the renewal of our friendship with Nigerians. So, we urge Nigerians to visit South Africa for conferencing, studies, business and to find love.

“South Africa is open for tourism,” he said.

Also,Thekiso Rakolojane, Regional Head, South Africa Tourism (SAT), said the ‘Rainbow Nation’ was well endowed with choice destinations for tourists as he explained the available attractions.

“We at South Africa Tourism are excited to be part of the celebration of South Africa week. We have been here since 2015 and we appreciate the relationship so far.

“We seize this opportunity to welcome tourists to South Africa to explore the abundance of beaches, wildlife and all,” he said.

Some of the South Africans and Nigerians at the programme, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) spoke on their attractions for cultures of other countries.

Musa Nzuza, a South African, who is into  industrial catering, said ” I cherish Nigerian food and their respectful nature; the greetings are second to none; I always feel like a queen when they greet. Infact, Nigeria is my second home.”

Also, Herman Franken, who works with South Africa International Breweries, said having worked in Zambia, Namibia and Ghana, he could boldly say Nigerians were more friendly and approachable.

Similarly, Lynette Mitchell, Financial Manager with SON International,  described Nigerians as welcoming, hospitable and best people in Africa.

A Nigerian Model, Mr Kenneth Joseph, said ” South Africans are also loving individuals who are so passionate about their culture. This, I cherish in them.

“Nigerians must also learn to take pride in their culture and improve on exhibiting it.”

NAN reports that delegates at the event were entertained with scintillating Zulu dance performance.  (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Politics

Eid-el-fitri: Ododo calls for prayers for national peace, progress

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By Stephen Adeleye

Alhaji Usman Ododo, APC Governorship candidate for Kogi election, has called for continued prayers for the country to engender national unity, peace and progress.

In a statement on Friday in Lokoja, Ododo also congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan Fast, and urged them to imbibe the spirit of humility, love and sacrifice that the season represented.

According to him, the Holy Month of Ramadan is a blessing to him, following his emergence in the just concluded Governorship Primaries, saying his victory is one of the blessings of the month of Ramadan.

Ododo enjoined Muslims to imbibe the lessons beyond the Holy month, to earn them Allah’s blessings, and called for continued prayers for the country to engender national unity, peace and progress.

The APC flag bearer urged residents of the state to watch out, be security alert and report suspicious movement, capable of causing security breach, to the security agents. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Religious

Eid-el-Fitr: Wadada urges Muslims to sustain lessons of Ramadan

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By Olukayode Babalola

Ahmed Wadada, Senator-elect for Nasarawa-West Senatorial District, has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the country at large for the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting.

Wadada offered his felicitations in his Eid-Fitr (Sallah) goodwill message made available to newsmen on Friday in Keffi, Nasarawa.

The Senator-elect also urged all Muslims to sustain the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan by adhering strictly to the teaching and traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

He emphasised the relevance of tolerance, sacrifice, charity, love, and peaceful coexistence, noting that these were virtues which Muslims and non-Muslims alike must imbibe beyond the month of Ramadan.

“We shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which include sacrifice, charity, piety and enhancing our bond with the poor, vulnerable groups and the less privileged in the society.

“Abstention from food and drinks during the month of Ramadan has made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of the poorest of the poor who go without eating every day.

“We should continue to give more charity to the underprivileged, the poor, persons with disabilities, widows, orphans and other vulnerable groups in our various communities,” he said.

Wadada also urged the Muslim Ummah to use the period of the Eid-Fitr celebration to offer special prayers for Allah’s blessings, wisdom and guidance on the part of the leaders of the country as the nation was passing through the period of transition.

He thanked the people of Nasarawa-West Senatorial District for giving him their mandate in the recently concluded National Assembly elections.

He also assured the people of the senatorial zone of his resolve to build on the success and achievements he recorded 12 years ago when he was a member of the House of Representatives.

Wadada said he would offer quality representation in the Senate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kingsley Kubeyinje

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