Salisu Sani Idris - News Agency Of Nigeria

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Mon, 2023

Creative Industry Bill: Stakeholders decry non-involvement in drafting process

By Taiye Olayemi

A cross-section of stakeholders in the creative industry on Sunday frowned at the drafting of the Creative Industry Development Bill (CIDB) without their input.

They expressed their grievances during a consultative meeting of the creative industry stakeholders with Col. Felix Alaita, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Country Risk Assessment and Evaluation), the initiator of the bill.

This was held at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The stakeholders said that though the content of the bill was such that would spur growth in the industry, the stakeholders ought to be involved in each stage of the drafting process.

Mr Israel Eboh, National President, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), said it was disheartening to know that the CIDB was being drafted without proper consultations with the key stakeholders in the industry.

Eboh noted that the stakeholders happened to know the challenges of the sector and what is required in advancing the industry and as such, should be carried along.

He explained that there were too many components of the industry that had not been captured in the bill.

According to him, this can lead to lopsided development in the industry which has accounted for the reason the industry has not grown to expectation.

” We appreciate the bill but the process is what is questioned. We believe that the MDAs and the relevant agencies that are already established by law, operating within this field should be carried along.

” If these bodies and stakeholders do not key into the bill, there would be conflicting interest and that is one of the problems the sector is currently confronted with,” he said.

Also, Jahman Anikulapo, a culture archivist advised that the Nigerian cultural policies and endowment fund for the arts should be captured in the bill and put in proper perspective.

Similarly, Victor Okhai, National President, Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), in utmost surprise said: “The idea of the bill is good and well appreciated, whatever that will take us to the next level is welcome.

“But if there is no inclusiveness, the bill will not see the light of the day so I advise that you do things the right way to get the full support of the industry”.

Earlier, Alaita explained that the bill had been drafted five times and going into the 6th draft when the stakeholders involvement was presently needed.

He said the essence of the bill was absolutely to advance the creative industry in Nigeria, considering the numerous challenges hindering its growth over the years.

He noted that the content of the bill made provisions for training, funding, skill upgrading and ability to conduct research for every practitioner in the creative space.

He explained that the bill was an executive one and a commission would be established to interface with the stakeholders.

“We are looking at broad framework without which you cannot achieve efficiency to grow.

” We want to create framework to prevent you from being exploited because exploitative tendencies are building up outside our shores. We also want to look at how royalties are treated.

” We hope to explore advertising and architecture aspects of the creative space which have not been captured and we will engage to learn and build up knowledge for our collective benefit, ” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Mon, 2023

Politics

Tinubu’s emergence will usher in progress, development – RTEAN

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Road Transport Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has expressed optimism that the emergence of Sen. Bola Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria would usher in progress and development in the country.

The Executive National President of RTEAN, Dr Musa Maitakobi, stated this in a congratulatory message to Tinubu, issued by the association’s Deputy National President in charge of Administration, Amb. Muhammed Bishara, on Sunday in Abuja.

Maitakobi said Tinubu would transform Nigeria like he had done in Lagos State between 1999 to 2007, where he demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.

He urged candidates in the various parties in the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections to accept the outcome of the election in good faith.

He stressed the need for both the contestants and their supporters to keep their minds open and be ready to take whatever be the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly polls.

Similarly, Maitakobi enjoined members of the association and the Nigerian youths to remain law abiding and eschew conducts capable of leading to disturbance of public peace.

He also appealed to religious, traditional leaders and principals of schools and NGOs to join RTEAN in sensitizing the youths against embarking on any criminal act that might destroy their future.

Maitakobi, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the elections, described the voting process as good and well arranged.

He added that the deployment of technology has made the elections different from previous ones.

Maitakobi also commended the effort of the Nigeria Police Force, alongside other security agencies deployed for election security management, for their commitment to ensuring a secured electioneering process in the country.

He also applauded the security agencies for exhibiting neutrality during the presidential and national assembly elections in the country.

According to him, reports from different parts of the country indicated that the Armed forces of Nigeria had kept to its promise and indeed not only that they were apolitical, but collaborated with other security agencies.

“The RTEAN National President, on behalf of the National Executive, Zonal Coordinators and State Coordinators of the organization, wishes to convey RTEAN’s heartfelt congratulations to Sen. Ahmed Tinubu, on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“We are very optimistic that the emergence of Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria would usher in progress and development in the country as he had done in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 where he demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.

“We also congratulated Sen. Kashim Shettima on his declaration as Vice President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sun, 2023

Health

NGO drums support for children with birth defects

By Justina Auta

Maternal Adolescent and Reproductive Child Healthcare (MARCH Initiative), an NGO, has called on government to implement policies that support health and nutritional needs of children with anomalies in the country.

Mrs Olubunmi Aiyedun, the Founder of MARCH Initiative, made this appeal on Saturday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 World Defect Day.

She spoke at the final validation symposium training manual on orofacial cleft community care and support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Defect Day is commemorated annually on March 3, to raise awareness on the impact of birth defect worldwide, reduce stigma and increase opportunities for prevention and care.

Aiyedun said the day was significant as more than seven million new born babies recorded every year in Nigeria had a proportion of those with birth defects.

“That is why we need data, the government, partners and grassroot organisations, need to sit and produce quality data and policies that can drive interventions in Nigeria.

“The government own the people so they have the primary responsibility to make policies, because when we have policies that recognise children with birth defects, there can be interventions.

“We need budgets and policies that ensures the protection, promotion and support of every new born Nigerian child with birth defect and ensuring training institutions like the universities integrate curriculum that address birth defect.

“Essential care like nutrition, immunisation is very important, they have right to such quality of care, because if they are not healthy, they cannot do surgery for those who require it,” she said.

Ayiedun said the world had recognised the contribution of congenital anomalies, the indices, health figures, hence the reason March 3rd was set aside globally to create awareness.

“Recognising that we have new born who may not be like other children, but have the right to be cared for and loved, to be celebrated and to be helped.”

Aiyedun listed some of the common birth defects as cleft lip and cleft palate where a child’s mouth did not form completely, the roof of the mouth is open instead of seal.

“Spina bifida is also a defect where there is an opening or slit that allow part of the spinal cord to protrude out causing paralysis of the lower limbs.

“There are cases where the intestine or internal organs of the abdomen are out or the skull did not form and the brain is exposed such is not compatible with life and needs support,’’ Aiyedun said.

On prevention, she advised women of child bearing age to maintain a healthy life style, reduce intake of alcohol and smoking cigarette.

She however added that fortification, supplementation and intake of folic acid could reduce the incidence of defects by 70 per cent, as well as avoiding early marriage and late marriage, among others.

Dr Lilian Ekwem, Chief Paediatrician, Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, said the purpose of the workshop was to get people from different health professional backgrounds address challenges associated with children born with defects.

Ekwem said that the babies and their families suffered, adding that their suffering affect the community and the nation at large, as it took away from its ultimate productivity.

“They suffer discrimination, neglect, abuse, so the objective of the workshop is to highlight these challenges and teach health workers how to care for such babies especially at the grassroots level.

“They experience problems with feeding, malnutrition, loss of weight which can affect their immunity, some of them die while some are abandoned due to difficulty in managing them.

“Also the psychological impact on the parents and the children especially when other children don’t want to play with them, they discriminate and stigmatise them hence the need for enlightenment at the communities,” Ekwem said.

Ms Victoria Azodoh, Assistant Chief Scientific Officer, NPHCDA, said the day was a unique one, set aside to celebrate special group of children who were often neglected in the society.

“The NPHCDA especially at the community health services department, engage and collaborate with well-meaning individuals, we carry out missions to do specialised operations for children with defects.

“We also support organisations and provide technical support in many areas,’’ Azodoh said.

Ms Pauline Adah, a participant and representative of USAID on Advancing Nutrition, said the day was to emphasis on the need for inclusion, as the life, health and nutrition of every Nigerian child was very important.

“The USAID project on advancing nutrition has the mandate to improve the status of nutrition for the Nigeria child and we are happy to collaborate with MARCH Initiative.

“What we do is to ensure and support the Federal Ministry of health to review the Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) strategy, policy and the training manuals alongside other stakeholders.

“We help promote the inclusion of children with defects in the community, practice on maternal and young infant feeding.”

She urged parents of children with defects to see their children as gifts from God, seek medical help and embrace them with love and support.

Adah further called on communities to expunge entirely stigma, accept the children and not exclude them from interventions when necessary.

Maj. Mohammed Hamji, Commanding Officer, Guards Brigade Medical Centre, a representative of the Nigeria Army, said the day was significant in the world of medicine.

Hamji said the day was crucial for individuals with birth defects, their families, communities and the nation at large, saying birth defect is a discriminatory congenital birth condition.

He urged families at rural communities, especially in the Northern part of the country, to seek medical attention for their children with defects, while appreciating March Initiative for their advocacy and support to the children.

NAN reports that the workshop was organised by MARCH Initiative, in collaboration with the NPHCDA and USAID on Advancing Nutrition, among other partners. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sun, 2023

Economy/Business

Conference: Association seeks UN’s support for nation’s SMEs, industries

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Enterproses and Industrialist has solicited the support of the United Nations towards boosting the Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Industrialist sectors in the country.

The President of the association, Mr Solomon Daniel, made the appeal in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Daniel, who is currently attending the ongoing 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, Qatar urged the inclusion of Nigerian SMEs among the beneficiaries of the planned intervention package.

He said that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had adversely affected them, hence the need for the UN to salvage the situation from further escalation.

Daniel said: “We are here as part of the delegates from Nigeria attending the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

“We are calling on the economically viable organisations that are under the United Nations to support the Small Scale and Medium Enterprises in the under-developed countries.

” The UN Secretary-general said they are looking for assistance to support the under developed countries in the areas of education, health and women and empowerment.”

Similarly, the Treasurer of the association, Mr Abubakar Tanko, said that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has pledged to support developing countries with $60 million.

Tanko also said that the association had developed comprehensive documents that would be submitted to UN on how best to support the SMEs in Nigeria through the Federal Government.

“The UN is working assiduously to ensure that developed countries assist the less developed ones to overcome challenges of security, economy annd climate change, among others,” he said

The conference, which holds from March 5 to 9, under the theme: “From Potential to Prosperity,” is expected to provide an opportunity to garner the support of the international community.

The is to accelerate sustainable development in the Least Developed Countries (LCDs), as well as assist them make progress towards achieving prosperity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Bashir Rabe Mani

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sun, 2023

Sports

Oduduwa House emerges champion in FEDCOL 45th inter-house sports

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

Budding athletes at the Federal Government College (FEDCOL), Ijanikin, near Lagos showed their class at the school’s 45th inter-house sports competition on Saturday, with Oduduwa House coming tops.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oduduwa House beat six other houses in the school, clinching 15 gold, eight silver and nine bronze to lift the diadem.

However, Nnamdi Azikiwe House got 11 gold, eight silver and eight bronze to place second, while Moremi House won seven gold, 10 silver and seven bronze to place third.

Similarly, Macaulay House clinched five gold, nine silver and 10 bronze to come fourth while Danfodio House got four gold, five silver and six bronze to place fifth.

El-Kanemi House won four gold, three silver and three bronze to place sixth, while Jaja House won no gold but got two silver and three bronze medals to come last in the competition.

The competition, held at the school’s playground, is a yearly event to keep students fit and make them to hone their skills for future exploits in sports.

In the junior girls’ 100 metres competition, Onyinye Mbagwu, representing Macaulay House, came first in 13.88 seconds; Precious Okeke, also from Macaulay House placed second in 14.08 seconds.

Amarachi Nwadinma of Moremi House came third in 14.57 seconds, while Chizaram Njoku of El-kanmi House finished fourth in 15.10 seconds.

In the senior girls’ event, Gift Ogochukwu of Moremi House out-smarted others to clinch first position in 12.80 seconds, Olayemi Akanbi of Macaulay House came second in 12.81 seconds, while Alimat Ligali of Oduduwa House was third in 12.98 seconds.

Chikaima Nwanyanwu from Macaulay House came fourth in 13.01 seconds with Christabel Okeoma from Nnamdi Azikiwe House finishing fifth in 13.06 seconds.

In the junior boys event, Kehinde Bello from El-Kanemi House came first in 13.07 seconds while Daniel Mmakwe of Nnamdi Azikiwe House placed second in in a time of 13.07 seconds.

Yau Shuaibu from Macaulay House came third in 13.56 seconds; Victor Obilor of Moremi House was fourth in 13.75 while Anthony Okeke from Jaja House finished fifth in 14.12 seconds.

Speaking to NAN at the end of the competition, some of the participants expressed their desires to excel in sports in the near future.

Gift Ogochukwu, first prize winner in the senior girls’ event, said that she started preparing for the competition the same week the school opened for the second term.

The 13-year-old, said that going to represent the country at the Olympics was her dream, adding, “I want to be known in the world like Blessing Okagbare.”

Kehinde Bello, who elicited spectators’ admiration with his zig-zag running style, said that he planned to improve on his skills.

NAN reports that medals, certificates and trophies were given to winners at the inter-house sports, which featured different events.

Earlier, the Director/Principal of the college, Ms. Tofunmi Akamo, while speaking at the event, urged parents not to discourage children from taking to sports as careers.

She described sports as a lucrative and quick-rewarding enterprise that young persons could embrace to make the difference in their lives.

Akamo said that the competition was introduced in Unity Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education as part of efforts to foster healthy minds in healthy bodies.

“It is also a way to enhance social interaction among students who come from different social backgrounds and

it provides opportunities for relaxation, entertainment and recreation for our pupils,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sat, 2023

Politics

Avoid divided house before governorship election, Group urges Sule

By Deji Abdulwahab

The Concerned All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders in Nasarawa State has called on Gov. Abdullahi Sule to avoid a divided house before the Saturday March 11 election.

The Convener of the group, Mr Dominic Alancha, gave the advice on Saturday at a news conference in Abuja.

Alancha said that defeat of APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state was orchestrated by internal wrangling, especially from the aggrieved state government functionaries.

According to him, most of them are APC government appointees who worked against the party and were also planning to work against the party in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

“The onus is on the governor to do the needful before we go into the election comes March 11, or else, we will go into it as a divided house.

“We, therefore, say that the Governorship and House of Assembly elections slated for March 1 1 should be different.

“We are calling on all concerns to come out and address the issues that could affect the victory of APC in the March 11 election in Nasarawa State.

`We believe that Gov. Abdullahi Sule is one of the Governors considered to have done well and given the dividends of democracy,’’ group’s convener said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sat, 2023

Politics

Group urges INEC to intensify training on voting materials for PWDs

By Angela Atabo

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), A Non-governmental organization, (NGO) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify training of electoral officers on use of voting materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Ms Grace Jerry, Executive Director, IFA and Convener, of the IFA Vote-Ability Campaign made the call at a news conference while presenting the findings from the observation of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Jerry also called on INEC to continue to gather data on PWDs in a disaggregated format to improve the deployment of assistive materials during elections.

She said that IFA, through the Vote-Ability Campaign, deployed 250 PWDs election observers across 21 states and the six geopolitical zones of the federation.

She said that the objective was to measure the deployment and usage of PWD assistive materials, the accessibility of polling units to PWDs, and the internal layout of polling units, among others.

“IFA observed that 22 per cent of Polling Units (PUs)were stationed around corridors and steps; 12 per cent have uneven surfaces and sand piles that make PWD accessibility difficult and impossible in some instances.

” IFA observers reported that 71 per cent of PUs observed had no ramp or handrails for use by PWDs.

“IFA observers reported that 65 per cent of PUs had no suitable voting cubicles for PWDs on wheelchairs, persons of short stature, and persons on roller skates.”

Jerry said that IFA observers reported that 74 per cent of PUs positioning and situating of the ballot box was accessible for PWDs on wheelchairs.

She said that 60 per cent of PUs reported had no braille ballot guide for blind voters who could read and understand braille to cast their vote.

She said that in 76 per cent of PUs observed, IFA observers reported the non-deployment of magnifying glasses for voters with albinism and low vision.

She said that IFA observed that 61 per cent of PUs had the INEC form EC30E election guide posters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Jerry said that IFA observed that there was an increase and more robust improvement in PWD political participation.

She said that this was because, beyond participating as electorates, PWDs were seen to serve as party agents.

“The observation mission of IFA saw the engagement of PWDs by INEC to serve as ad hoc staff.

” This satisfies the IFA’s demand while also meeting the requirements of Section 29 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Act (2018).”

Jerry commended INEC and urged the commission to ensure that voting cubicles were designed to enable voters with disabilities to cast their ballots confidentially in subsequent elections.

She also called on INEC to ensure ballot boxes are placed in areas that allow voters with disabilities to vote independently.

She said that INEC should continue to engage and consult with the disability community, including IFA, to identify areas to be improved for more inclusive electoral processes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Sat, 2023

Politics

Tinubu’s victory will of God – Aisha Buhari

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Thursday described the victory of APC’s Sen. Bola Tinubu in the just concluded Presidential Election as the will of God.

Mrs Buhari said this when she received the wife of the President-Elect, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the Wife of the Vice President-Elect, Hajiya Nana Shettima, on a thank you visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said: “ Regardless of our interests and diversity, we should all accept it as a will of Almighty God; we wouldn’t have done it without his grace.

“It is a victory for all Nigerians. I am optimistic that the President-Elect will not betray the trust and confidence that Nigerians reposed in him.

”It is now time to move on and focus on the path of `a renewed hope’ for Nigerian women and youths.

“ So, my sister we count on your experience and interest in promoting the cause of women, youths and girl-child education,” she said.

She however reminded the wife of the president-elect of the challenges ahead and prayed for God`s guidance and direction as she prepare to take over the affairs of the Office of First Lady of Nigeria.

“The task is arduous but with your determination I believe is surmountable. I pray that come May 29, your position as first lady will be marked with joy and continued success.

“We look forward to the advancement of Nigerian women and their inclusion in the affairs of our nation`s development,” Mrs Buhari said.

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu had earlier informed the gathering that they were at the Presidential Villa on a thank you visit to appreciate the support and wise counselling of the first lady towards the success of APC at the presidential election.

“We want to thank you sincerely for how you’ve been able to bring us together as a campaign team for the APC, especially the women presidential campaign team.

”You really showed a lot of wisdom, dexterity and courage in the way you put us together” she said.

“I remember coming here to ask for your permission and also to solicit for support when we are about to begin campaign,” she said.

While acknowledging the motherly role of the first lady, Mrs Tinubu prayed for good health and divine intervention in the affairs of the firstlady.

“As you’ve come here safely, you will live to your home in good health, divine health and whatever you decide to do; God will be there with you, thank you so much for the love you have shown to us,” Mrs Tinubu prayed.

The meeting was attended by the wives of some APC governors and associates of the first lady. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Fri, 2023

Elections

Traditional rulers urge President-elect to deliver campaign promises

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to deliver his campaign promises.

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Coordinating Committee of the council, made the call in a congratulatory message to the president-elect on Friday in Abuja.

The council welcome Tinubu’s commitment to serve the country and Nigerians, praying Almighty Allah to give him the wisdom to succeed.

“The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, and Co-chair, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi-Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and the Coordinating committee as well as the other members of the Council hereby, congratulate the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And the Vice President-Elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, on their electoral victory and declaration by INEC as President- Elect and Vice President-Elect, respectively.

“As Custodians of the Nigerian traditional institutions, the Council welcomes the President-Elect’s commitment to serve Nigeria and Nigerians, and therefore pray that Almighty God will give Tinubu and Shettima the wisdom and courage to deliver on their promises and mandate,” it said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Salisu Sani Idris
Mar, Fri, 2023

Politics

Emir of Keffi tasks Wadada on service to humanity

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Yamusa III, has urged the Senator-elect of Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Wadada to redouble efforts in rendering selfless service to humanity.

The traditional ruler gave the advice on Friday in Keffi when Wadada led a delegation of his campaign council to seek royal blessings of the Emir, following his victory at the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Emir also advised the Senator-elect to shun wealth accumulation and continue to channel his resources towards improving the living conditions of his constituents especially the less privileged ones.

Yamus said: ” I want to use this medium to advise you to continue to shoulder the responsibilities of providing for your people. Don’t focus on wealth accumulation as you are going to the Senate.

” You are a man of the people and you are known to be generous to your people.

“I urge you to sustain that you are known for and continue to hold your people by the grace of God, the sky will be your beginning.

” I also want to encourage you to reward the people that stood by you throughout the period of electioneering. Don’t neglect them, try as much as you can to reward them handsomely.”

Earlier, Wadada in his remarks, said he was at the Emir’s Palace to seek for his royal blessings, adding that he holds Yamusa in high esteem.

The SDP Senator-elect thanked the Emir for his tremendous support to his family and political struggle since he ventured into politics.

Wadada said: ” I have no place or home that I am proud of better than Keffi. Keffi has done everything for me and my extended family.

” Since after INEC declared me as the winner of the election, I have made up my mind that this Palace is the first place that I will visit to seek for royal blessings before I visit any other place.

” I will forever remain grateful to the Keffi Emirate Council and the entire people of Keffi for the overwhelming support given to me in the just- concluded elections.”

In attendance were: the Chairman, Advisory Council of Wadada Campaign Organisation, Prof. Silas Gyar, its Director-General, Alhaji Bello Zakari and former Commissioner of Environment Nasarawa State, Danladi Madaki, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani